M Contoli1, K Ito2, A Padovani1, D Poletti3, B Marku1, M R Edwards4, L A Stanciu4, G Gnesini1, A Pastore3, A Spanevello5, P Morelli6, S L Johnston4, G Caramori1, A Papi1. 1. Research Centre on Asthma and COPD, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. 2. Airway Disease, National Heath and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK. 3. ENT Unit, Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. 4. Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College and MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, London, UK. 5. University of Insubria and Fondazione Maugeri, Varese, Italy. 6. Cros NT, Verona, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Asthma and other Th2 inflammatory conditions have been associated with increased susceptibility to viral infections. The mechanisms by which Th2 cytokines can influence immune responses to infections are largely unknown. METHODS: We measured the effects of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) on bronchial epithelial cell innate immune antiviral responses by assessing interferon (IFN-β and IFN-λ1) induction following rhinovirus (RV)-16 infection. We also investigated the modulatory effects of Th2 cytokines on Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), interferon-responsive factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor (NF)-kB, that is key molecules and transcription factors involved in the rhinovirus-induced interferon production and inflammatory cascade. Pharmacological and redox modulation of these pathways was also assessed. RESULTS: Th2 cytokines impaired RV-16-induced interferon production, increased rhinovirus replication and impaired TLR3 expression in bronchial epithelial cells. These results were replicated in vivo: we found increased IL-4 mRNA levels in nasal epithelial cells from nasal brushing of atopic rhinitis patients and a parallel reduction in TLR3 expression and increased RV-16 replication compared to nonatopic subjects. Mechanistically, Th2 cytokines impaired RV-16-induced activation of IRF3, but had no effects on RV-16-induced NF-kB activation in bronchial epithelial cell cultures. N-acetylcysteine and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor restored the inhibitory effects of Th2 cytokines over RV-16-induced activation of IRF3. CONCLUSIONS: IL-4 and IL-13, through inhibition of TLR3 expression and signalling (IRF3), impair immune response to RV-16 infection. These data suggest that Th2 conditions increase susceptibility to infections and identify pharmacological approaches with potential to restore impaired immune response in these conditions.
BACKGROUND: Asthma and other Th2 inflammatory conditions have been associated with increased susceptibility to viral infections. The mechanisms by which Th2 cytokines can influence immune responses to infections are largely unknown. METHODS: We measured the effects of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) on bronchial epithelial cell innate immune antiviral responses by assessing interferon (IFN-β and IFN-λ1) induction following rhinovirus (RV)-16 infection. We also investigated the modulatory effects of Th2 cytokines on Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), interferon-responsive factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor (NF)-kB, that is key molecules and transcription factors involved in the rhinovirus-induced interferon production and inflammatory cascade. Pharmacological and redox modulation of these pathways was also assessed. RESULTS: Th2 cytokines impaired RV-16-induced interferon production, increased rhinovirus replication and impaired TLR3 expression in bronchial epithelial cells. These results were replicated in vivo: we found increased IL-4 mRNA levels in nasal epithelial cells from nasal brushing of atopic rhinitis patients and a parallel reduction in TLR3 expression and increased RV-16 replication compared to nonatopic subjects. Mechanistically, Th2 cytokines impaired RV-16-induced activation of IRF3, but had no effects on RV-16-induced NF-kB activation in bronchial epithelial cell cultures. N-acetylcysteine and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor restored the inhibitory effects of Th2 cytokines over RV-16-induced activation of IRF3. CONCLUSIONS: IL-4 and IL-13, through inhibition of TLR3 expression and signalling (IRF3), impair immune response to RV-16 infection. These data suggest that Th2 conditions increase susceptibility to infections and identify pharmacological approaches with potential to restore impaired immune response in these conditions.
Authors: Lyndsey M Muehling; Peter W Heymann; Paul W Wright; Jacob D Eccles; Rachana Agrawal; Holliday T Carper; Deborah D Murphy; Lisa J Workman; Carolyn R Word; Sarah J Ratcliffe; Brian J Capaldo; Thomas A E Platts-Mills; Ronald B Turner; William W Kwok; Judith A Woodfolk Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2020-04-19 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Michelle A Gill; Andrew H Liu; Agustin Calatroni; Rebecca Z Krouse; Baomei Shao; Allison Schiltz; James E Gern; Alkis Togias; William W Busse Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2017-09-01 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: A Głobińska; M Pawełczyk; A Piechota-Polańczyk; A Olszewska-Ziąber; S Moskwa; A Mikołajczyk; A Jabłońska; P K Zakrzewski; M Brauncajs; M Jarzębska; S Taka; N G Papadopoulos; M L Kowalski Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2016-11-14 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Richard Hewitt; Hugo Farne; Andrew Ritchie; Emma Luke; Sebastian L Johnston; Patrick Mallia Journal: Ther Adv Respir Dis Date: 2015-11-26 Impact factor: 4.031