76
|
Volkov A, Hagner S, Löser S, Alnahas S, Raifer H, Hellhund A, Garn H, Steinhoff U. β5i subunit deficiency of the immunoproteasome leads to reduced Th2 response in OVA induced acute asthma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e60565. [PMID: 23593249 PMCID: PMC3617144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunoproteasome subunit β5i has been shown to play an important role in Th1/Th17 driven models of colitis and arthritis. However, the function of β5i in Th2 dependent diseases remains enigmatic. To study the role of β5i in Th2-driven pathology, β5i knockout (KO) and control mice were tested in different models of experimental allergic asthma. β5i-deficient mice showed reduced OVA/Alum- and subcutaneous/OVA-induced acute asthma with decreased eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), low OVA-specific IgG1 and reduced local and systemic Th2 cytokines. While Th2 cells in the lungs were reduced, Tregs and Th1 cells were not affected. Attenuated asthma in β5i KO mice could not be attributed to defects in OVA uptake or maturation of dendritic cells in the lung. Surprisingly, β5i deficient mice developed HDM asthma which was comparable to control mice. Here, we present novel evidence for the requirement of the β5i immunosubunit to generate a strong Th2 response during OVA- but not HDM-induced acute asthma. The unexpected role of β5i in OVA asthma remains to be clarified.
Collapse
|
77
|
Hagner S, Harb H, Zhao M, Stein K, Holst O, Ege MJ, Mayer M, Matthes J, Bauer J, von Mutius E, Renz H, Heine H, Pfefferle PI, Garn H. Farm-derived Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus sciuri W620 prevents asthma phenotype in HDM- and OVA-exposed mice. Allergy 2013; 68:322-9. [PMID: 23369007 DOI: 10.1111/all.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Farm-derived dust samples have been screened for bacteria with potential allergo-protective properties. Among those was Staphylococcus sciuri W620 (S. sciuri W620), which we tested with regard to its protective capacities in murine models of allergic airway inflammation. METHODS We employed two protocols of acute airway inflammation in mice administering either ovalbumin (OVA) or house dust mite extract (HDM) for sensitization. Mechanistic studies on the activation of innate immune responses to S. sciuri W620 were carried out using human primary monocytic dendritic cells (moDC) and co-culture with autologous T cells. RESULTS The allergo-protective properties of S. sciuri W620 were proven in a T(H)2-driven OVA model as well as in a mixed T(H)1/T(H)2 phenotype HDM model as demonstrated by abrogation of eosinophils and neutrophils in the airways after intranasal treatment. In the HDM model, lymph node cell T(H)1/T(H)2 signature cytokines were decreased in parallel. Studies on human moDC revealed an activation of TLR2 and NOD2 receptors and initiation of DC maturation following incubation with S. sciuri W620. Cytokine expression analyses after exposure to S. sciuri W620 showed a lack of IL-12 production in moDC due to missing transcription of the IL-12p35 mRNA. However, such DC selectively supported T(H)1 cytokine release by co-cultured T cells. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our proof-of-concept experiments verify the screening system of farm-derived dust samples as suitable to elucidate new candidates for allergo-protection. S. sciuri W620 was shown to possess preventive properties on airway inflammation providing the basis for further mechanistic studies and potential clinical implication.
Collapse
|
78
|
Harb H, van Tol EAF, Heine H, Braaksma M, Gross G, Overkamp K, Hennen M, Alrifai M, Conrad ML, Renz H, Garn H. Neonatal supplementation of processed supernatant fromLactobacillus rhamnosusGG improves allergic airway inflammation in mice later in life. Clin Exp Allergy 2013; 43:353-64. [DOI: 10.1111/cea.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
79
|
Kretschmer S, Dethlefsen I, Hagner-Benes S, Marsh LM, Garn H, König P. Visualization of intrapulmonary lymph vessels in healthy and inflamed murine lung using CD90/Thy-1 as a marker. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55201. [PMID: 23408960 PMCID: PMC3568125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lymphatic vessels play a pivotal role in fluid drainage and egress of immune cells from the lung. However, examining murine lung lymphatics is hampered by the expression of classical lymph endothelial markers on other cell types, which hinders the unambiguous identification of lymphatics. The expression of CD90/Thy-1 on lymph endothelium was recently described and we therefore examined its suitability to identify murine pulmonary lymph vessels under healthy and inflammatory conditions. Methodology/Principal Findings Immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody against CD90.2/Thy-1.2 on 200 µm thick precision cut lung slices labeled a vascular network that was distinct from blood vessels. Preembedding immunostaining and electron microscopy verified that the anti-CD90.2/Thy-1.2 antibody labeled lymphatic endothelium. Absence of staining in CD90.1/Thy-1.1 expressing FVB mice indicated that CD90/Thy-1 was expressed on lymph endothelium and labeling was not due to antibody cross reactivity. Double-labeling immunohistochemistry for CD90/Thy-1 and α-smooth muscle actin identified two routes for lymph vessel exit from the murine lung. One started in the parenchyma or around veins and left via venous blood vessels. The other began in the space around airways or in the space between airways and pulmonary arteries and left via the main bronchi. As expected from the pulmonary distribution of lymph vessels, intranasal application of house dust mite led to accumulation of T cells around veins and in the connective tissue between airways and pulmonary arteries. Surprisingly, increased numbers of T cells were also detected around intraacinar arteries that lack lymph vessels. This arterial T cell sheath extended to the pulmonary arteries where lymph vessels were located. Conclusions/Significance These results indicate that CD90/Thy-1 is expressed on lymphatic endothelial cells and represents a suitable marker for murine lung lymph vessels. Combining CD90/Thy-1 labeling with precision cut lung slices allows visualizing the anatomy of the lymphatic system in normal and inflamed conditions.
Collapse
|
80
|
Turowska A, Homburg U, Kuhlmann J, Müller A, Bille J, Renz HE, Garn H. Preclinical and Early Clinical Development of a GATA-3-Specific Dnazyme Intended for the Treatment of Th2-Driven Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.12.683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
81
|
Visekruna A, Ritter J, Scholz T, Campos L, Guralnik A, Poncette L, Raifer H, Hagner S, Garn H, Staudt V, Bopp T, Reuter S, Taube C, Loser K, Huber M. Tc9 cells, a new subset of CD8(+) T cells, support Th2-mediated airway inflammation. Eur J Immunol 2013; 43:606-18. [PMID: 23254356 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201242825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Similar to T-helper (Th) cells, CD8(+) T cells also differentiate into distinct subpopulations. However, the existence of IL-9-producing CD8(+) T (Tc9) cells has not been elucidated so far. We show that murine CD8(+) T cells activated in the presence of IL-4 plus TGF-β develop into transient IL-9 producers characterized by specific IFN-γ and IL-10 expression patterns as well as by low cytotoxic function along with diminished expression of the CTL-associated transcription factors T-bet and Eomesodermin. Similarly to the CD4(+) counterpart, Tc9 cells required for their differentiation STAT6 and IRF4. Tc9 cells deficient for these master regulators displayed increased levels of Foxp3 that in turn suppressed IL-9 production. In an allergic airway disease model, Tc9 cells promoted the onset of airway inflammation, mediated by subpathogenic numbers of Th2 cells. This support was specific for Tc9 cells because CTLs failed to exert this function. We detected increased Tc9 frequency in the periphery in mice and humans with atopic dermatitis, a Th2-associated skin disease that often precedes asthma. Thus, our data point to the existence of Tc9 cells and to their supportive function in Th2-dependent airway inflammation, suggesting that these cells might be a therapeutic target in allergic disorders.
Collapse
|
82
|
Merkel OM, Marsh LM, Garn H, Kissel T. Flow cytometry-based cell type-specific assessment of target regulation by pulmonary siRNA delivery. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 948:263-73. [PMID: 23070776 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-140-0_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary siRNA delivery has attracted strong interest and has been reported to successfully mediate target gene knockdown in a number of disease models. However, the nature of the epithelial cells that eventually take up siRNA and the question if other lung cell types may also be transfected have so far been neglected. Therefore, we describe here a flow cytometry-based method using transgenic enhanced green fluorescence protein-expressing mice (EGFP mice) for the differentiation of transfected lung cell populations based on their antigen expression.
Collapse
|
83
|
Garn H. Associate Editor Holger Garn. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2013; 162:6. [DOI: 10.1159/000351212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
|
84
|
Alton EW, Boushey HA, Garn H, Green FH, Hodges M, Martin RJ, Murdoch RD, Renz H, Shrewsbury SB, Seguin R, Johnson G, Parry JD, Tepper J, Renzi P, Cavagnaro J, Ferrari N. Clinical expert panel on monitoring potential lung toxicity of inhaled oligonucleotides: consensus points and recommendations. Nucleic Acid Ther 2012; 22:246-54. [PMID: 22809313 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2012.0345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotides (ONs) are an emerging class of drugs being developed for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases including the treatment of respiratory diseases by the inhalation route. As a class, their toxicity on human lungs has not been fully characterized, and predictive toxicity biomarkers have not been identified. To that end, identification of sensitive methods and biomarkers that can detect toxicity in humans before any long term and/or irreversible side effects occur would be helpful. In light of the public's greater interests, the Inhalation Subcommittee of the Oligonucleotide Safety Working Group (OSWG) held expert panel discussions focusing on the potential toxicity of inhaled ONs and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different monitoring techniques for use during the clinical evaluation of inhaled ON candidates. This white paper summarizes the key discussions and captures the panelists' perspectives and recommendations which, we propose, could be used as a framework to guide both industry and regulatory scientists in future clinical research to characterize and monitor the short and long term lung response to inhaled ONs.
Collapse
|
85
|
Turowska A, Dicke T, Baumgartl N, Kuhlmann J, Renz H, Garn H. Distribution and efficacy of a GATA-3-specific DNAzyme in experimental allergic asthma models. Pneumologie 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
86
|
Böcking C, Harb H, Zehethofer N, Lindner B, Fischer K, Holst O, Nüsing R, Büchele G, Ege MJ, Mutius EV, Renz H, Garn H, Pfefferle PI. Milk-CLA is a biomarker for traditional farm milk but is not responsible for the allegro-protective farm milk effect in a murine model of airway inflammation. Pneumologie 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
87
|
Kesper D, Brand S, Pinkenburg RO, Garn H, Pfefferle PI, Renz H. DNA demethylation of the IFNγ locus attenuates experimentally induced asthma. Pneumologie 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
88
|
Volkov A, Hagner-Benes S, Löser S, Raifer H, Hellhund A, Alnahas S, Visekruna A, Garn H, Lohoff M, Renz H, Steinhoff U. LMP7 Subunit Deficiency of the Immunoproteasome Leads to reduced Th2 Response in OVA/Alum Acute Asthma. Pneumologie 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
89
|
Baumgartl N, Turowska A, Weißmann N, Garn H. Autoimmune induction of a COPD-like inflammatory phenotype in mice. Pneumologie 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
90
|
Kesper D, Brand S, Teich R, Dicke T, Garn H, Pfefferle PI, Renz H. Prenatal Acintebacter lwoffii exposure leads to protection against experimentally induced asthma in mice by epigenetic mechanisms. Pneumologie 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
91
|
Dicke T, Pali-Schöll I, Kaufmann A, Bauer S, Renz H, Garn H. Absence of unspecific innate immune cell activation by GATA-3-specific DNAzymes. Nucleic Acid Ther 2012; 22:117-26. [PMID: 22428550 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2011.0294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
DNAzymes of the 10-23 family represent an important class of antisense molecules with implications for therapeutic treatment of diseases. These molecules are single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides combining the high specificity of oligonucleotide base pairing with an inherent RNA-cleaving enzymatic activity. However, like other oligonucleotide-based molecules these substances might exert so-called off-target effects, which have not been investigated so far for this molecule class. Therefore, the present study investigates putative off-target effects of DNAzymes on innate immune mechanisms using GATA-3-specific DNAzymes that have recently been developed as novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of allergic diseases including allergic asthma. The conserved catalytic domain of 10-23 DNAzymes contains a CpG motif that may stimulate innate immune cells via Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9). Therefore, potential TLR-9-mediated as well as TLR-9 independent cell activation was investigated using TLR-9-transfected HEK293 cells, macrophage cell lines and primary innate immune cells. Furthermore, putative effects of GATA-3-specific DNAzymes on the activation of neutrophil granulocytes and degranulation of mast cells/basophils were analyzed. In summary, no innate immune cell-stimulating activities of the tested DNAzymes were observed in any of the systems. Consequently, use of GATA-3-specific DNAzymes may represent a novel and highly specific approach for the treatment of allergic diseases.
Collapse
|
92
|
Brand S, Kesper DA, Teich R, Kilic-Niebergall E, Pinkenburg O, Bothur E, Lohoff M, Garn H, Pfefferle PI, Renz H. DNA methylation of TH1/TH2 cytokine genes affects sensitization and progress of experimental asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 129:1602-10.e6. [PMID: 22277202 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 10/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic changes in DNA methylation have recently been demonstrated to be involved in effector T-cell polarization, resulting in differential secretion of T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokines. However, the contribution to the development of a chronic inflammatory phenotype remains still unclear. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate changes in DNA methylation in marker genes of T-cell subsets during allergen sensitization/challenge and their influence on the development of an allergic airway inflammatory response. METHODS The relationship between changes in DNA methylation and phenotype development were examined in a well-established model of experimental asthma. DNA methylation was investigated at genomic loci associated with T(H)1 (IFNG promoter) or T(H)2 (conserved noncoding sequence 1 [CNS1]) cytokine production by using bisulfite pyrosequencing. RESULTS Analysis of CD4(+) T cells revealed a significant increase in DNA methylation at the IFNG promoter after allergen sensitization/challenge, which correlated with decreased IFN-γ cytokine expression, whereas only minor changes were observed at the CNS1 locus. Furthermore, the increase in DNA methylation at the IFNG promoter could be reversed with a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor in vitro and in vivo with beneficial effects on sensitization status and allergic phenotype. The specific importance of the DNA methylation status in CD4(+) T cells could be confirmed by using adoptive transfer experiments. CONCLUSION We here report the novel finding that epigenetic regulation in T cells contributes to the development of experimental asthma and can be targeted pharmacologically.
Collapse
|
93
|
Seimetz M, Parajuli N, Pichl A, Veit F, Kwapiszewska G, Weisel FC, Milger K, Egemnazarov B, Turowska A, Fuchs B, Nikam S, Roth M, Sydykov A, Medebach T, Klepetko W, Jaksch P, Dumitrascu R, Garn H, Voswinckel R, Kostin S, Seeger W, Schermuly RT, Grimminger F, Ghofrani HA, Weissmann N. Inducible NOS inhibition reverses tobacco-smoke-induced emphysema and pulmonary hypertension in mice. Cell 2011; 147:293-305. [PMID: 22000010 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Revised: 04/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. We report in an emphysema model of mice chronically exposed to tobacco smoke that pulmonary vascular dysfunction, vascular remodeling, and pulmonary hypertension (PH) precede development of alveolar destruction. We provide evidence for a causative role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and peroxynitrite in this context. Mice lacking iNOS were protected against emphysema and PH. Treatment of wild-type mice with the iNOS inhibitor N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine (L-NIL) prevented structural and functional alterations of both the lung vasculature and alveoli and also reversed established disease. In chimeric mice lacking iNOS in bone marrow (BM)-derived cells, PH was dependent on iNOS from BM-derived cells, whereas emphysema development was dependent on iNOS from non-BM-derived cells. Similar regulatory and structural alterations as seen in mouse lungs were found in lung tissue from humans with end-stage COPD.
Collapse
|
94
|
Stech J, Garn H, Herwig A, Stech O, Dauber B, Wolff T, Mettenleiter TC, Klenk HD. Influenza B virus with modified hemagglutinin cleavage site as a novel attenuated live vaccine. J Infect Dis 2011; 204:1483-90. [PMID: 21917878 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jir613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both pandemic and interpandemic influenza is associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Seasonal epidemics are caused by both influenza A and B virus strains that cocirculate with varying predominance and may give rise to severe illness equally. According to World Health Organization recommendations, current annual vaccines are composed of 2 type A and 1 type B virus-specific component. METHODS As a novel attenuated live vaccine against influenza B virus, we generated a hemagglutinin cleavage site mutant of strain B/Lee/40 by replacing the common monobasic cleavage site recognized by trypsinlike proteases with an elastase-sensitive site, and we investigated the in vitro properties, attenuation, humoral responses, and efficacy in mice. RESULTS This mutant virus replicated in cell culture equally well as the wild type but in a strictly elastase-dependent manner. In contrast to the mouse-pathogenic parental virus, the cleavage site mutant was fully attenuated in mice and not detectable in their lungs. After 1 intranasal immunization, the animals survived lethal challenge with wild-type virus without weight loss or any other signs of disease. Furthermore, no challenge virus could be reisolated from the lungs of vaccinated mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that proteolytic activation mutants can serve as live vaccine against influenza B virus.
Collapse
|
95
|
Renz H, Conrad M, Brand S, Teich R, Garn H, Pfefferle PI. Allergic diseases, gene-environment interactions. Allergy 2011; 66 Suppl 95:10-2. [PMID: 21668842 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02622.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Allergic asthma develops in part from dysregulation of the innate and adaptive immune functions, particularly an imbalance in the Th2-driven adaptive immune response. This dysregulation is the result of complex interactions between genes and environment. These interactions occur both pre- and postnatally, providing opportunities for early interventions in immunological programming.
Collapse
|
96
|
Kerzel S, Rogosch T, Wagner J, Preisser K, Yildirim AÖ, Fehrenbach H, Garn H, Maier RF, Schroeder HW, Zemlin M. A single DH gene segment is sufficient for the establishment of an asthma phenotype in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2011; 156:247-58. [PMID: 21720170 DOI: 10.1159/000323527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously shown that the allergic sensitization to ovalbumin does not represent a superantigen-like immune response. In gene-targeted mice (ΔD-iD) with a single modified Diversity gene segment (D(H)) of the immunoglobulin heavy chain, enriched for charged amino acids, the asthma phenotype in a murine model was markedly alleviated compared to wild-type animals. OBJECTIVE We now sought to determine whether the confinement to a single D(H) gene segment alone leads to a reduced allergic phenotype. METHODS We examined another gene-targeted mouse strain (ΔD-DFL) with a single D(H) gene segment which encodes for neutral amino acids, thus reflecting the preferential repertoire in wild-type mice. Mice were sensitized intraperitoneally to ovalbumin. RESULTS Despite the constraint to a single D(H) gene segment, ΔD-DFL mice mounted high total and allergen-specific IgG(1) and IgE serum levels after sensitization to ovalbumin. The affinity constants of allergen-specific IgG(1) antibodies did not differ between ΔD-DFL and wild type. Following challenge with aerosolized allergen, a marked local T(H)2 cytokine response and an eosinophilic airway inflammation developed. Quantitative histology revealed increased mucus production and intense goblet cell metaplasia which were identical to those in wild type. Moreover, ΔD-DFL mice developed an airway hyperreactivity to methacholine and to the specific allergen, which both did not differ from those in wild-type animals. CONCLUSION A single D(H) gene segment is sufficient for the establishment of the asthma phenotype in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. Thus, the allergic phenotype depends on the amino acid composition and not on the diversity of the classical antigen-binding site.
Collapse
|
97
|
Brand S, Teich R, Dicke T, Harb H, Yildirim AÖ, Tost J, Schneider-Stock R, Waterland RA, Bauer UM, von Mutius E, Garn H, Pfefferle PI, Renz H. Epigenetic regulation in murine offspring as a novel mechanism for transmaternal asthma protection induced by microbes. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011; 128:618-25.e1-7. [PMID: 21680015 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 04/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting from complex gene-environment interactions. Natural microbial exposure has been identified as an important environmental condition that provides asthma protection in a prenatal window of opportunity. Epigenetic regulation is an important mechanism by which environmental factors might interact with genes involved in allergy and asthma development. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to test whether epigenetic mechanisms might contribute to asthma protection conferred by early microbial exposure. METHODS Pregnant maternal mice were exposed to the farm-derived gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter lwoffii F78. Epigenetic modifications in the offspring were analyzed in T(H)1- and T(H)2-relevant genes of CD4(+) T cells. RESULTS Prenatal administration of A lwoffii F78 prevented the development of an asthmatic phenotype in the progeny, and this effect was IFN-γ dependent. Furthermore, the IFNG promoter of CD4(+) T cells in the offspring revealed a significant protection against loss of histone 4 (H4) acetylation, which was closely associated with IFN-γ expression. Pharmacologic inhibition of H4 acetylation in the offspring abolished the asthma-protective phenotype. Regarding T(H)2-relevant genes only at the IL4 promoter, a decrease could be detected for H4 acetylation but not at the IL5 promoter or the intergenic T(H)2 regulatory region conserved noncoding sequence 1 (CNS1). CONCLUSION These data support the hygiene concept and indicate that microbes operate by means of epigenetic mechanisms. This provides a new mechanism in the understanding of gene-environment interactions in the context of allergy protection.
Collapse
|
98
|
Schmidts T, Dobler D, von den Hoff S, Schlupp P, Garn H, Runkel F. Protective effect of drug delivery systems against the enzymatic degradation of dermally applied DNAzyme. Int J Pharm 2011; 410:75-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Revised: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
99
|
Baru AM, Hartl A, Lahl K, Krishnaswamy JK, Fehrenbach H, Yildirim AO, Garn H, Renz H, Behrens GMN, Sparwasser T. Selective depletion of Foxp3+ Treg during sensitization phase aggravates experimental allergic airway inflammation. Eur J Immunol 2010; 40:2259-66. [PMID: 20544727 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200939972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies highlight the role of Treg in preventing unnecessary responses to allergens and maintaining functional immune tolerance in the lung. We investigated the role of Treg during the sensitization phase in a murine model of experimental allergic airway inflammation by selectively depleting the Treg population in vivo. DEpletion of REGulatory T cells (DEREG) mice were depleted of Treg by diphtheria toxin injection. Allergic airway inflammation was induced using OVA as a model allergen. Pathology was assessed by scoring for differential cellular infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage, IgE and IgG1 levels in serum, cytokine secretion analysis of lymphocytes from lung draining lymph nodes and lung histology. Use of DEREG mice allowed us for the first time to track and specifically deplete both CD25(+) and CD25(-) Foxp3(+) Treg, and to analyze their significance in limiting pathology in allergic airway inflammation. We observed that depletion of Treg during the priming phase of an active immune response led to a dramatic exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation in mice, suggesting an essential role played by Treg in regulating immune responses against allergens as early as the sensitization phase via maintenance of functional tolerance.
Collapse
|
100
|
Merkel OM, Mintzer MA, Librizzi D, Samsonova O, Dicke T, Sproat B, Garn H, Barth PJ, Simanek EE, Kissel T. Triazine dendrimers as nonviral vectors for in vitro and in vivo RNAi: the effects of peripheral groups and core structure on biological activity. Mol Pharm 2010; 7:969-83. [PMID: 20524664 DOI: 10.1021/mp100101s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
A family of triazine dendrimers, differing in their core flexibility, generation number, and surface functionality, was prepared and evaluated for its ability to accomplish RNAi. The dendriplexes were analyzed with respect to their physicochemical and biological properties, including condensation of siRNA, complex size, surface charge, cellular uptake and subcellular distribution, their potential for reporter gene knockdown in HeLa/Luc cells, and ultimately their stability, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics and intracellular uptake in mice after intravenous (iv) administration. The structure of the backbone was found to significantly influence siRNA transfection efficiency, with rigid, second generation dendrimers displaying higher gene knockdown than the flexible analogues while maintaining less off-target effects than Lipofectamine. Additionally, among the rigid, second generation dendrimers, those with either arginine-like exteriors or peripheries containing hydrophobic functionalities mediated the most effective gene knockdown, thus showing that dendrimer surface groups also affect transfection efficiency. Moreover, these two most effective dendriplexes were stable in circulation upon intravenous administration and showed passive targeting to the lung. Both dendriplex formulations were taken up into the alveolar epithelium, making them promising candidates for RNAi in the lung. The ability to correlate the effects of triazine dendrimer core scaffolds, generation number, and surface functionality with siRNA transfection efficiency yields valuable information for further modifying this nonviral delivery system and stresses the importance of only loosely correlating effective gene delivery vectors with siRNA transfection agents.
Collapse
|