Eosinophils regulate dendritic cells and Th2 pulmonary immune responses following allergen provocation

EA Jacobsen, KR Zellner, D Colbert… - The Journal of …, 2011 - journals.aai.org
EA Jacobsen, KR Zellner, D Colbert, NA Lee, JJ Lee
The Journal of Immunology, 2011journals.aai.org
Reports have recently suggested that eosinophils have the potential to modulate allergen-
dependent pulmonary immune responses. The studies presented expand these reports
demonstrating in the mouse that eosinophils are required for the allergen-dependent Th2
pulmonary immune responses mediated by dendritic cells (DCs) and T lymphocytes.
Specifically, the recruitment of peripheral eosinophils to the pulmonary lymphatic
compartment (s) was required for the accumulation of myeloid DCs in draining lymph nodes …
Abstract
Reports have recently suggested that eosinophils have the potential to modulate allergen-dependent pulmonary immune responses. The studies presented expand these reports demonstrating in the mouse that eosinophils are required for the allergen-dependent Th2 pulmonary immune responses mediated by dendritic cells (DCs) and T lymphocytes. Specifically, the recruitment of peripheral eosinophils to the pulmonary lymphatic compartment (s) was required for the accumulation of myeloid DCs in draining lymph nodes and, in turn, Ag-specific T effector cell production. These effects on DCs and Ag-specific T cells did not require MHC class II expression on eosinophils, suggesting that these granulocytes have an accessory role as opposed to direct T cell stimulation. The data also showed that eosinophils uniquely suppress the DC-mediated production of Th17 and, to smaller degree, Th1 responses. The cumulative effect of these eosinophil-dependent immune mechanisms is to promote the Th2 polarization characteristic of the pulmonary microenvironment after allergen challenge.
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