IFN-alpha inhibits antigen-induced eosinophil and CD4+ T cell recruitment into tissue.

In a murine model of airway late phase reaction, we have previously shown that Ag-induced eosinophil recruitment into the tissue of sensitized mice is mediated by CD4+ T cells and IL-5. To determine whether IFN-alpha regulates Ag-induced eosinophil recruitment into tissue, we studied the effects of rIFN-alpha, endogenous IFN-alpha production induced by poly I.C, and anti-IFN-alpha mAb on the eosinophil infiltration of the trachea induced by Ag inhalation in mice. The i.p. administration of rIFN-alpha prevented Ag-induced eosinophil infiltration in the trachea of sensitized mice. In addition, the inhibitory effect of rIFN-alpha on Ag-induced eosinophil infiltration was not recovered by pretreatment with anti-IFN-gamma mAb. The administration of rIFN-alpha also inhibited Ag-induced CD4+ T cell infiltration in the trachea. However, the administration of rIFN-alpha did not significantly affect blood eosinophil counts nor the number of blood and splenic CD4+ T cells. On the other hand, pretreatment with anti-murine IFN-alpha mAb enhanced Ag-induced eosinophil and CD4+ T cell infiltration in the trachea. Finally, endogenous IFN-alpha/beta production induced by poly I.C also inhibited Ag-induced eosinophil infiltration in the trachea and this inhibition of the eosinophil infiltration was abrogated by pretreatment with anti-IFN-alpha/beta mAb. These results indicate that IFN-alpha suppresses Ag-induced eosinophil and CD4+ T cell recruitment into tissue.