T cell derived IL-10 is dispensable for tolerance induction in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation.

Regulatory mechanisms initiated by allergen-specific immunotherapy are mainly attributed to T cell derived IL-10. However, it has not been shown that T cell derived IL-10 is required for successful tolerance induction (TI). Here, we analyze cellular sources and the functional relevance of cell type specific IL-10 during TI in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. While TI was effective in IL-10 competent mice, neutralizing IL-10 prior to tolerogenic treatment completely abrogated the beneficial effects. Cellular sources of IL-10 during TI were identified by using transcriptional reporter mice as T cells, B cells, and to a lesser extent DCs. Interestingly, TI was still effective in mice with T cell, B cell, B and T cell, or DC-specific IL-10 deficiency. In contrast, TI was not possible in mice lacking IL-10 in all hematopoetic cells, while it was effective in bone marrow (BM) chimera that lacked IL-10 only in nonhematopoetic cells. Taken together, allergen-specific tolerance depends on IL-10 from hematopoetic sources. The beneficial effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy cannot solely be attributed to IL-10 from T cells, B cells, or even DCs, suggesting a high degree of cellular redundancy in IL-10-mediated tolerance.

Differential impact of diesel particle composition on pro-allergic dendritic cell function.

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) were described as potent adjuvant in the induction and maintenance of allergic diseases, suggesting that they might play a role in the increase of allergic diseases in the industrialized countries. However, the cellular basis by which these particles enhance allergic immune responses is still a matter of debate. Thus, we exposed immature murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) to different particles or particle-associated organic compounds in the absence or presence of the maturation stimuli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and analyzed the cellular maturation, viability, and cytokine production. Furthermore, we monitored the functionality of particle-exposed BMDC to suppress B cell isotype switching to immunoglobulin (Ig) E. Only highly polluted DEP (standard reference material 1650a [SRM1650a]) but not particle-associated organic compounds or less polluted DEP from modern diesel engines were able to modulate the dendritic cell phenotype. SRM1650a particles significantly suppressed LPS-induced IL-12p70 production in murine BMDC, whereas cell-surface marker expression was not altered. Furthermore, SRM1650a-exposed immature BMDC lost the ability to suppress IgE isotype switch in B cells. This study revealed that highly polluted DEP not only interfere with dendritic cell maturation but also additionally with dendritic cell function, thus suggesting a role in T(h)2 immune deviation.

Novel mouse mutants with primary cellular immunodeficiencies generated by genome-wide mutagenesis.

BACKGROUND: Primary cellular immunodeficiencies are a group of genetic disorders in which 1 or more components of the cellular immune system are lacking or dysfunctional. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify novel mouse mutants that display primary cellular immunodeficiencies. METHODS: Genome-wide N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis was performed in mice, followed by a phenotype screen of immunologic blood parameters. RESULTS: We identified novel mouse mutants with isolated B-cell deficiency, combined block in early B- and T-cell development, combined T-cell and natural killer cell reduction, and 3 different forms of T-cell deficiencies. One of the mutants, designated DeltaT3, displayed a combined phenotype of increased IgE, absence of peripheral T cells, and block in late thymocyte differentiation. In addition, DeltaT3 mice were unable to mount specific humoral immune responses. Chromosomal mapping and sequencing of candidate genes revealed a novel point mutation in the kinase domain of the T-cell receptor zeta chain-associated protein kinase (Zap70). In contrast to Zap70-deficient mice, DeltaT3 mutants displayed normal Zap70 mRNA and residual Zap70 protein levels. Complementation studies with Zap70-deficient mice confirmed that the point mutation found in Zap70 was causative for the DeltaT3 phenotype, including increased IgE plasma levels, a phenotype that has not been associated with altered Zap70 function in the past. CONCLUSION: Random genome-wide mutagenesis combined with a phenotype screen can be used to generate novel mouse mutants with primary cellular immunodeficiencies.

Immunomodulatory effects of aqueous birch pollen extracts and phytoprostanes on primary immune responses in vivo.

BACKGROUND: We recently demonstrated that pollen not only function as allergen carriers but also as rich sources of bioactive lipids, such as phytoprostanes, that modulate human dendritic cell (DC) function in a way that results in an enhanced T(H)2 polarization in vitro. OBJECTIVE: Here we analyzed the immunomodulatory capacities of Betula alba (white birch) aqueous pollen extracts (Bet-APEs) and pollen-associated phytoprostanes in the murine system in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: DC function was analyzed in vitro by using BALB/c bone marrow-derived DCs. T-cell responses were analyzed with DO11.10 peptide 323-339 from chicken ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4 T cells as responder cells. For in vivo studies, OVA-specific CD4 T cells were adoptively transferred into BALB/c mice. Twenty-four hours later, mice were challenged by means of intranasal application of OVA in the absence or presence of Bet-APEs or phytoprostanes. Polarization of T-cell responses in vivo was analyzed in draining lymph node cells. RESULTS: In vitro Bet-APEs and E(1)-phytoprostanes dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced IL-12p70 of DCs. In addition, Bet-APEs induced a T(H)2 polarization in vitro. Similarly, intranasal instillation of Bet-APEs in vivo, together with the antigen, lead to increased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 secretion and decreased IFN-gamma secretion from antigen-specific T cells in the draining lymph nodes. In contrast, intranasal E1- and F1-phytoprostanes downregulated both T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokine production in vivo. CONCLUSION: Pollen release water-soluble factors that display T(H)2-polarizing capacities in vivo independently of E(1)- and F(1)-phytoprostanes. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Identification of the underlying mechanisms might open new approaches for pharmacologic intervention.

Characterization of the major secreted zinc metalloprotease- dependent glycerophospholipid:cholesterol acyltransferase, PlaC, of Legionella pneumophila.

Legionella pneumophila, an intracellular pathogen causing a severe pneumonia, possesses distinct lipolytic activities which have not been completely assigned to specific enzymes so far. We cloned and characterized a gene, plaC, encoding a protein with high homology to PlaA, the major secreted lysophospholipase A of L. pneumophila and to other hydrolytic enzymes belonging to the GDSL family. Here we show that L. pneumophila plaC mutants possessed reduced phospholipase A and lysophospholipase A activities and lacked glycerophospholipid:cholesterol acyltransferase activity in their culture supernatants. The mutants' reduced phospholipase A and acyltransferase activities were complemented by reintroduction of an intact copy of plaC. Additionally, plaC conferred increased lysophospholipase A and glycerophospholipid:cholesterol acytransferase activities to recombinant Escherichia coli. Furthermore, PlaC was shown to be another candidate exported by the L. pneumophila type II secretion system and was activated by a factor present in the bacterial culture supernatant dependent on the zinc metalloprotease. Finally, the role of plaC in intracellular infection of Acanthamoeba castellanii and U937 macrophages with L. pneumophila was assessed, and plaC was found to be dispensable. Thus, L. pneumophila possesses another secreted lipolytic enzyme, a protein with acyltransferase, phospholipase A, and lysophospholipase A activities. This enzyme is distinguished from the previously characterized phospholipases A and lysophospholipases A by its capacity not only to cleave fatty acids from lipids but to transfer them to cholesterol. Cholesterol is an important compound of eukaryotic membranes, and an acyltransferase might be a tool for host cell modification to fit the needs of the bacterium.