CD4+ T cells induce productions of IL-5 and IL-13 through MHCII on ILC2s in a murine model of allergic rhinitis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: CD4+ T cells play an important role not only in the induction of allergy but also in allergic inflammation. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) also mediate type 2 immune responses in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, the relationships between CD4+ T cells and ILC2s in allergic condition are currently not well defined. The study aimed to evaluate the potential influences of CD4+ T cells on ILC2s in the murine model of AR. METHODS: A murine model of AR was established using ovalbumin (OVA), and OVA-induced ILC2s were sorted and purified from the mouse nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), and cultured in vitro. Then, the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) on ILC2s was examined. CD4+ T cells were separated from AR mice peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). After that, productions of IL-5 and IL-13 on ILC2s cultures were assessed when CD4+ T cells or plus anti-MHCII antibody or anti-CD4 antibody were administered into the cultures. Finally, we adoptively transferred ILC2s alone or ILC2s plus anti-MHCII antibody to the murine model of AR to investigate their roles in the nasal allergic inflammation. RESULTS: We showed that ILC2s could be induced by OVA in the mouse NALT. The number and percentage of ILC2s in AR mice were increased. MHCII was expressed on ILC2s, and its protein and mRNA were all enhanced in allergic condition. IL-5 and IL-13 proteins and mRNAs were elevated after CD4+ T cells administration, and were reduced after these cells plus anti-MHCII antibody or anti-CD4 antibody application. Numbers of sneezing and nasal rubbing as well as counts of eosinophils in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were all enhanced after the adoptive transfer of ILC2s when compared to AR mice. IL-5 and IL-13 in the NLF of allergic mice were also increased in comparison with AR group. However, above parameters were all decreased after the transfer of ILC2s plus anti-MHCII antibody versus AR mice or ILC2s-treated ones. CONCLUSION: These findings show that CD4+ T cells induce productions of IL-5 and IL-13 through MHCII on ILC2s in AR mice models.