T1/ST2 promotes T helper 2 cell activation and polyfunctionality in bronchopulmonary mycosis

Mucosal Immunol. 2013 Mar;6(2):405-14. doi: 10.1038/mi.2012.84. Epub 2012 Sep 19.

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-33 enhances T helper (Th)2 immunity via its receptor T1/ST2. Infection with the yeast-like pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is usually controlled by a Th1-mediated immune response. The mechanisms responsible for nonprotective Th2 immunity leading to allergic inflammation in pulmonary cryptococcosis are still not fully understood. Using a murine pulmonary model of C. neoformans infection, we report that T1/ST2 expression correlates with the intensity of Th2 activation, as demonstrated by the expression of CD25 and CD44 and downregulation of CD62L. Antigen-specific T1/ST2(+) Th cells are the primary source of the Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 as compared with wild-type T1/ST2(-) Th cells or Th cells from T1/ST2(-/-) mice. In addition, T1/ST2(+) Th cells almost exclusively contain bi- and trifunctional Th2 cytokine-producing Th cells compared with T1/ST2(-) Th cells or Th cells from T1/ST2(-/-) mice. Finally, T1/ST2-driven Th2 development resulted in defective pulmonary fungal control. These data demonstrate that T1/ST2 directs Th2 cell activation and polyfunctionality in allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bronchopneumonia / immunology*
  • Bronchopneumonia / metabolism*
  • Bronchopneumonia / microbiology
  • Cryptococcosis / immunology*
  • Cryptococcosis / metabolism*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / immunology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / metabolism
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Interleukin-13 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-5 / immunology
  • Interleukin-5 / metabolism
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-5
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1