Epitope-dependent effect of anti-murine TIM-1 monoclonal antibodies on T cell activity and lung immune responses

J Immunol. 2007 Feb 15;178(4):2249-61. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.4.2249.

Abstract

The TAPR locus containing the TIM gene family is implicated in the development of atopic inflammation in mouse, and TIM-1 allelic variation has been associated with the incidence of atopy in human patient populations. In this study, we show that manipulation of the TIM-1 pathway influences airway inflammation and pathology. Anti-TIM-1 mAbs recognizing distinct epitopes differentially modulated OVA-induced lung inflammation in the mouse. The epitopes recognized by these Abs were mapped, revealing that mAbs to both the IgV and stalk domains of TIM-1 have therapeutic activity. Unexpectedly, mAbs recognizing unique epitopes spanning exon 4 of the mucin/stalk domains exacerbated immune responses. Using Ag recall response studies, we demonstrate that the TIM-1 pathway acts primarily by modulating the production of T(H)2 cytokines. Furthermore, ex vivo cellular experiments indicate that TIM-1 activity controls CD4(+) T cell activity. These studies validate the genetic hypothesis that the TIM-1 locus is linked to the development of atopic disease and suggest novel therapeutic strategies for targeting asthma and other atopic disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Asthma / drug therapy
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Ovalbumin / toxicity
  • Pneumonia / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia / genetics
  • Pneumonia / immunology*
  • Pneumonia / pathology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics
  • Quantitative Trait Loci / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cytokines
  • Epitopes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Timd2 protein, mouse
  • Ovalbumin