Blockade of IL-33 release and suppression of type 2 innate lymphoid cell responses by helminth secreted products in airway allergy

Mucosal Immunol. 2014 Sep;7(5):1068-78. doi: 10.1038/mi.2013.123. Epub 2014 Feb 5.

Abstract

Helminth parasites such as the nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus strongly inhibit T helper type 2 (Th2) allergy, as well as colitis and autoimmunity. Here, we show that the soluble excretory/secretory products of H. polygyrus (HES) potently suppress inflammation induced by allergens from the common fungus Alternaria alternata. Alternaria extract, when administered to mice intranasally with ovalbumin (OVA) protein, induces a rapid (1-48 h) innate response while also priming an OVA-specific Th2 response that can be evoked 14 days later by intranasal administration of OVA alone. In this model, HES coadministration with Alternaria/OVA suppressed early IL-33 release, innate lymphoid cell (ILC) production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, and localized eosinophilia. Upon OVA challenge, type 2 ILC (ILC2)/Th2 cytokine production and eosinophilia were diminished in HES-treated mice. HES administration 6 h before Alternaria blocked the allergic response, and its suppressive activity was abolished by heat treatment. Administration of recombinant IL-33 at sensitization with Alternaria/OVA/HES abrogated HES suppression of OVA-specific responses at challenge, indicating that suppression of early Alternaria-induced IL-33 release could be central to the anti-allergic effects of HES. Thus, this helminth parasite targets IL-33 production as part of its armory of suppressive effects, forestalling the development of the type 2 immune response to infection and allergic sensitization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / pharmacology
  • Alternaria / chemistry
  • Alternaria / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, Helminth / pharmacology
  • Antigens, Helminth / therapeutic use
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects*
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-33
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Respiratory System / drug effects
  • Respiratory System / immunology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Il33 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-33