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Schwarzer M, Srutkova D, Hermanova P, Leulier F, Kozakova H, Schabussova I. Diet Matters: Endotoxin in the Diet Impacts the Level of Allergic Sensitization in Germ-Free Mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0167786. [PMID: 28052076 PMCID: PMC5215724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Germ-free animals have been used to define the vital role of commensal bacteria on the maturation of the host immune system. However, the role of bacterial residues in diet in this setting is poorly understood. Here we investigated the effect of bacterial contamination in sterile diet on the level of allergic sensitization in germ-free mice. Sterile grain-based diets ST1 and R03 were tested for the level of bacterial contamination. ST1 contained higher amount of bacterial DNA, approximately ten times more endotoxin, and induced higher, TLR4-dependent, cytokine production in dendritic cells compared to R03. In a germ-free mouse model of sensitization to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, feeding on ST1 for at least two generations was associated with decreased production of allergen-specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies in sera in comparison to R03. Furthermore, reduced levels of allergen-specific and ConA-induced cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 accompanied by increased levels of IFN-γ were detected in splenocytes cultures of these mice. Our results show that contamination of experimental diet with bacterial residues, such as endotoxin, significantly affects the development of allergic sensitization in germ-free mice. Therefore, careful selection of sterile food is critical for the outcomes of germ-free or gnotobiotic experimental models of immune-deviated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schwarzer
- Laboratory of Gnotobiology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i., Novy Hradek, Czech Republic
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon (IGFL), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Iniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Dagmar Srutkova
- Laboratory of Gnotobiology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i., Novy Hradek, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Hermanova
- Laboratory of Gnotobiology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i., Novy Hradek, Czech Republic
| | - Francois Leulier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon (IGFL), Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Iniversité Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Hana Kozakova
- Laboratory of Gnotobiology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i., Novy Hradek, Czech Republic
| | - Irma Schabussova
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
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Hussain K, Letley DP, Greenaway AB, Kenefeck R, Winter JA, Tomlinson W, Rhead J, Staples E, Kaneko K, Atherton JC, Robinson K. Helicobacter pylori-Mediated Protection from Allergy Is Associated with IL-10-Secreting Peripheral Blood Regulatory T Cells. Front Immunol 2016; 7:71. [PMID: 27014260 PMCID: PMC4779884 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infections are usually established in early childhood and continuously stimulate immunity, including T-helper 1 (Th1), Th17, and regulatory T-cell (Treg) responses, throughout life. Although known to be the major cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, disease occurs in a minority of those who are infected. Recently, there has been much interest in beneficial effects arising from infection with this pathogen. Published data robustly show that the infection is protective against asthma in mouse models. Epidemiological studies show that H. pylori is inversely associated with human allergy and asthma, but there is a paucity of mechanistic data to explain this. Since Th1 and Treg responses are reported to protect against allergic responses, we investigated if there were links between the human systemic Th1 and Treg response to H. pylori and allergen-specific IgE levels. The human cytokine and T-cell responses were examined using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 49 infected and 58 uninfected adult patients. Concentrations of total and allergen-specific plasma IgE were determined by ELISA and ImmunoCAP assays. These responses were analyzed according to major virulence factor genotypes of the patients' colonizing H. pylori strains. An in vitro assay was employed, using PBMCs from infected and uninfected donors, to determine the role of Treg cytokines in the suppression of IgE. Significantly higher frequencies of IL-10-secreting CD4(+)CD25(hi) Tregs, but not H. pylori-specific Th1 cells, were present in the peripheral blood of infected patients. Total and allergen-specific IgE concentrations were lower when there was a strong Treg response, and blocking IL-10 in vitro dramatically restored IgE responses. IgE concentrations were also significantly lower when patients were infected with CagA(+) strains or those expressing the more active i1 form of VacA. The systemic IL-10(+) Treg response is therefore likely to play a role in H. pylori-mediated protection against allergy in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khiyam Hussain
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Darren P Letley
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - A Borgel Greenaway
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rupert Kenefeck
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jody A Winter
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - William Tomlinson
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Joanne Rhead
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Emily Staples
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Kazuyo Kaneko
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - John C Atherton
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Karen Robinson
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK; Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Robinson K. Helicobacter pylori-Mediated Protection against Extra-Gastric Immune and Inflammatory Disorders: The Evidence and Controversies. Diseases 2015; 3:34-55. [PMID: 28943607 PMCID: PMC5548235 DOI: 10.3390/diseases3020034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of studies link H. pylori infection with a reduced risk of developing extra-gastric conditions such as allergy, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and multiple sclerosis. The strength of the evidence for these protective associations is quite variable, and published studies often do not agree. This review article discusses some of the reasons for these discrepancies, and the difficulties faced when designing studies. Examples of some protective disease associations are described in detail, where the evidence is most abundant and thought to be more reliable. The most convincing of these are supported by published mechanistic data, for example with animal models, or incidence of disease exacerbation in humans following H. pylori eradication. Although controversial, this field is very important as the prevalence of H. pylori is decreasing throughout the world whilst many chronic diseases are becoming more common. These trends are likely to continue in the future, therefore it is important that we fully understand if and how H. pylori confers protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Robinson
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Aloyouni SY, Segeritz CP, Sherrid AM, Gold MJ, Loeffler DIM, Blanchet MR, Cai B, Hirota J, McNagny KM, Kollmann TR. Perinatal Immunization With Vaccine-Grade Listeria monocytogenes Provides Protection Against Murine Th2 Airway Inflammation. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2014; 6:341-9. [PMID: 24991458 PMCID: PMC4077961 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2014.6.4.341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder that leads to inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Its global prevalence has attained epidemic levels and treatment options that reach beyond temporary relief of symptoms are urgently needed. Since the processes leading to clinically symptomatic asthma start early in life, we set out to systematically evaluate a neonatal immunotherapeutic based on Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) for the control of allergic sensitization. Methods We modified Lm to express the model allergen, ovalbumin (OVA), and tested the ability of neonatal immunization with this strain to control allergic sensitization in a mouse model of OVA-induced asthma. Mice were immunized as newborns with live or heat killed LmOVA or live Lm, followed 6 weeks later by allergic sensitization with OVA. In order to determine whether the TH1-polarizing effect of this vaccine vector inadvertently may exacerbate development of certain TH1-driven allergic diseases, mice immunized as newborns were assessed in a model of adult hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Results Both LmOVA and Lm-control vaccines were highly effective in providing long-lasting protection from airway inflammation after only one immunization given perinatally. Serum antibody levels and lung cytokine production suggest that this prophylactic strategy is associated with an allergen specific TH1-dominated response. Specifically, LmOVA vaccinated mice displayed significantly elevated OVA-specific serum IgG2a, but no difference in anti-OVA IgE antibodies and only slightly decreased anti-OVA IgG1 antibodies. Importantly, Lm-based neonatal vaccination did not exacerbate Th1/Th17 driven HP, arguing against broad spectrum immune skewing. Conclusions Our findings highlight the promise of early life Lm-based immunomodulatory interventions as a prophylactic strategy for allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheka Yagub Aloyouni
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Division of Infectious & Immunological Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Charis-Patricia Segeritz
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Division of Infectious & Immunological Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ashley M Sherrid
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Division of Infectious & Immunological Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Matthew J Gold
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniela I M Loeffler
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Division of Infectious & Immunological Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marie-Renée Blanchet
- Centre de Recherche de L'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Bing Cai
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Division of Infectious & Immunological Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jeremy Hirota
- University of British Columbia James Hogg Research Centre-Heart and Lung Institute, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ; Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kelly M McNagny
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tobias R Kollmann
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Division of Infectious & Immunological Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Hol J, de Jongste JC, Nieuwenhuis EE. Quoting a landmark paper on the beneficial effects of probiotics. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010; 124:1354-6.e9. [PMID: 19818483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2009] [Revised: 07/21/2009] [Accepted: 07/23/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Walker FR, Hodyl NA, Hodgson DM. Neonatal bacterial endotoxin challenge interacts with stress in the adult male rat to modify KLH specific antibody production but not KLH stimulated ex vivo cytokine release. J Neuroimmunol 2009; 207:57-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2008] [Revised: 11/24/2008] [Accepted: 11/24/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Minne A, Jaworska J, Gerhold K, Ahrens B, Avagyan A, Vanbever R, Matricardi PM, Schmidt AC, Hamelmann E. Intranasal delivery of whole influenza vaccine prevents subsequent allergen-induced sensitization and airway hyper-reactivity in mice. Clin Exp Allergy 2007; 37:1250-8. [PMID: 17651156 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02767.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with influenza virus has been associated with seemingly opposing effects on the development of asthma. However, there are no data about the effects of mucosal vaccination with inactivated influenza on the inception of allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE To assess the immunological effects of inhaled inactivated influenza vaccine, using two different types of flu vaccines, on the inception of allergic sensitization and allergen-mediated airway disease in a mouse model. METHODS BALB/c mice were intranasally or intratracheally vaccinated with whole or split influenza virus vaccine (days -1 or -1, 27) before systemic sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) (days 1, 14) and repeated airway allergen challenges (days 28-30). Allergen sensitization (IgE serum levels), airway inflammation (differential cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) and airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) (in vivo lung function) were analysed. RESULTS The intranasal instillation of whole influenza vaccine before allergen sensitization significantly reduced the serum levels of total and OVA-specific IgE as well as allergen-induced AHR. Prevention was due to an allergen-specific shift from a predominant T helper (Th)2- towards a Th1-immune response. Application of split influenza vaccine did not show the same preventive effect. CONCLUSION Intranasal administration of inactivated whole influenza vaccine reduced subsequent allergen sensitization and prevented allergen-induced AHR. Our results show that the composition of the influenza vaccine has a major influence on subsequent development of allergen-induced sensitization and AHR, and suggest that mucosal inactivated whole influenza vaccination may represent a step towards the development of a preventive strategy for atopic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Minne
- Department for Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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Roumier T, Capron M, Dombrowicz D, Faveeuw C. Pathogen induced regulatory cell populations preventing allergy through the Th1/Th2 paradigm point of view. Immunol Res 2007; 40:1-17. [DOI: 10.1007/s12026-007-0058-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Hasegawa M, Yang K, Hashimoto M, Park JH, Kim YG, Fujimoto Y, Nuñez G, Fukase K, Inohara N. Differential release and distribution of Nod1 and Nod2 immunostimulatory molecules among bacterial species and environments. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:29054-63. [PMID: 16870615 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m602638200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nod1 and Nod2 are intracellular proteins that are involved in recognition of bacterial molecules and their genetic variations have been linked to several inflammatory diseases that are strongly affected by environmental factors. However, the distribution of Nod1- and Nod2-stimulatory molecules in different bacterial species and environments is unknown. Here we established a quantitative bioassay to screen and characterize Nod1- and Nod2-stimulatory activities in different environmental sites and bacterial species. Using this system, we found that common environments including foods and soils contain high levels of Nod1- and Nod2-stimulatory activities. Several Bacillus species were identified to possess the highest Nod1-stimulatory activity among soil bacteria. Unlike other immunostimulatory molecules, the higher level of Nod1-stimulatory activity was found in the culture supernatant and not in extracts from whole cell bacteria. Nod1-stimulatory molecules were highly stable at extreme pH and boiling conditions and were synthesized in an amidase- and sltY-independent manner. These results suggest a novel mechanism by which bacteria present in the environment stimulate the host immune system through Nod1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuho Hasegawa
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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Liebers V, Brüning T, Raulf-Heimsoth M. Occupational endotoxin-exposure and possible health effects on humans. Am J Ind Med 2006; 49:474-91. [PMID: 16586405 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endotoxins are commonly found at workplaces where large amounts of bioaerosols are generated. In Germany, especially since the Ordinance on Safety and Health Protection related to work involving biological agents (Biostoff-Verordnung) became effective (1999), threshold limit values are widely discussed. Up to the present, endotoxin values are measured with non-uniform methods and therefore values are of limited benefit for classification of exposure groups. In Germany there is no threshold limit value for endotoxin. METHODS Relevant literature of the last 20 years was selected from Medline and discussed. RESULTS In this review we focused on the impact of endotoxin exposure on human health with special respect to the measurements on workplace and methodological aspects of endotoxin determination. Methods for sampling and endotoxin determination have to be validated, optimized, and standardized first. CONCLUSION The adverse health effects of endotoxins are known, standardization of measurements is a necessary goal and protection measures should be established immediately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Liebers
- Research Institute for Occupational Medicine of the Berufsgenossenschaften (BGFA), Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Trujillo-Vargas CM, Mayer KD, Bickert T, Palmetshofer A, Grunewald S, Ramirez-Pineda JR, Polte T, Hansen G, Wohlleben G, Erb KJ. Vaccinations with T-helper type 1 directing adjuvants have different suppressive effects on the development of allergen-induced T-helper type 2 responses. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 35:1003-13. [PMID: 16120081 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02287.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergen-induced T-helper type 2 (Th2) responses can be inhibited with Th1 directing vaccines. However, studies comparing the efficacy of the different adjuvants have not been performed in detail. OBJECTIVE For this reason we compare the effects of live Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin(BCG), heat-killed (hk)-BCG, CpG-ODN (oligodeoxynucleotide) or PPD on the development of allergen-induced Th2 responses in mice. METHODS Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific allergic responses were induced in C57BL/6 mice by two intraperitoneally (i.p.) applications of OVA/alum followed by the intranasal challenge with OVA. The different Th1-inducing adjuvants were applied to the mice together with OVA/alum i.p. during the OVA-sensitization period and, subsequently, different parameters of allergic immune responses were evaluated. RESULTS All the adjuvants were effective in inhibiting the development of allergen-induced airway eosinophilia, mucous production and, with the exception of PPD, also airway hyper-reactivity, when they were applied together with OVA/alum. However, allergen-specific IgG1 and IgE serum levels were only reduced in live BCG- and PPD-treated mice. Suppression of airway eosinophilia was not observed in IFN-gamma- or IL-12-deficient mice (hk-BCG, CpG-ODN and PPD). Interestingly, live BCG was still able to suppress allergen-induced Th2 responses in the absence of either IFN-gamma or IL-12. When mice vaccinated with the different adjuvants together with OVA/alum were subjected to a second period of OVA/alum immunization, only live and hk-BCG were able to efficiently suppress the development of airway inflammation. This effect could be adoptively transferred by splenic CD4(+) T cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together our data suggest that live BCG>hk-BCG>CpG-ODN >PPD are effective in suppressing allergen-induced Th2 responses. The degree of suppression and the component of the Th2 response affected (airway inflammation vs. the production of allergen-specific IgE and IgG1) were dependent upon the adjuvant used and how it was applied. Our results contribute to the design of novel vaccines protecting humans from developing allergic disorders.
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Zhu FG, Kandimalla ER, Yu D, Tang JX, Agrawal S. Modulation of ovalbumin-induced Th2 responses by second-generation immunomodulatory oligonucleotides in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2005; 4:851-62. [PMID: 15182725 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2004.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2004] [Accepted: 03/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (CpG DNAs) prevent development of T-helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses and reverse established allergic responses in mouse models. We recently reported that second-generation immunomodulatory oligonucleotides (IMOs) containing novel structures (immunomers) and a synthetic immunostimulatory CpR (R=2'-deoxy-7-deazguanosine) motif induce the production of distinct cytokine secretion profiles in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated IMOs containing CpG and CpR motifs to modulate allergen-induced Th2 immune responses in prevention and treatment models. Mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were treated with a CpG DNA or an IMO by administration either at the time of OVA sensitization (co-administration; prevention) or after establishment of an allergic response (treatment). Spleens, blood, and lungs were collected and analyzed for immune responses. Spleen-cell cultures harvested from OVA-sensitized mice showed a significant decrease in Th2 cytokine levels with a concomitant increase in Th1 cytokine levels only when CpG DNA or IMOs were co-administered with OVA. The co-administration of CpG DNA or IMOs during OVA sensitization significantly reduced serum OVA-specific and total IgE levels in mice. The mice who received CpG DNA or IMOs co-administered with OVA showed a small reduction in serum OVA-specific and total IgG1 levels and a significant increase in serum OVA-specific and total IgG2a levels. Similar results were found in mice with established allergic responses who received IMO treatment. IMO treatment also resulted in strong inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lungs compared with untreated mice lungs. These data demonstrate that IMOs prevent antigen-induced Th2 immune responses when co-administered to mice during OVA sensitization and that IMOs reverse established allergic responses induced by OVA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Gang Zhu
- Hybridon, Inc., 345 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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