Natural Helper (NH) cells are newly discovered innate immune cells that produce T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines and promote protective type 2 immunity during helminth infection, or after influenza infection. The ontogeny of NH cells and their function in allergic diseases are not known. Strikingly, we find that NH cells have similar gene expression profile as T cell lineage progenitors, and that the development of NH cells is dependent on TCF-1, an essential transcription factor in early T cell development. We propose to determine the molecular pathways that underlie the development of NH cells. We will also examine the role of NH cells in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Studies in this proposal will improve our understanding of the generation and function of NH cells, which will inform therapeutic strategies to target NH cells for Th2 associated diseases.

Public Health Relevance

T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines are central players in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Natural helper cells are newly discovered immune cells that were shown to be a major source of Th2 cytokines but neither their developmental origin nor their significance in asthma is understood. We propose to identify the cellular precursors and the signals that give rise to Natural helper cells. Using a mouse model we will also determine the role of Natural helper cells in the pathology of allergen-induced airway inflammation. Our study will provide important clues to targeting Natural helper cells as a novel therapeutic approach to Th2-driven (allergic) airway inflammation in asthma.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI098428-02
Application #
8495259
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CVRS-J (03))
Program Officer
Davidson, Wendy F
Project Start
2012-07-01
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$225,600
Indirect Cost
$84,600
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Yang, Qi; Ge, Moyar Q; Kokalari, Blerina et al. (2016) Group 2 innate lymphoid cells mediate ozone-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol 137:571-8
De Obaldia, Maria Elena; Bhandoola, Avinash (2015) Transcriptional regulation of innate and adaptive lymphocyte lineages. Annu Rev Immunol 33:607-42
Yang, Qi; Li, Fengyin; Harly, Christelle et al. (2015) TCF-1 upregulation identifies early innate lymphoid progenitors in the bone marrow. Nat Immunol 16:1044-50
De Obaldia, Maria Elena; Bell, J Jeremiah; Wang, Xinxin et al. (2013) T cell development requires constraint of the myeloid regulator C/EBP-? by the Notch target and transcriptional repressor Hes1. Nat Immunol 14:1277-84
Yang, Qi; Monticelli, Laurel A; Saenz, Steven A et al. (2013) T cell factor 1 is required for group 2 innate lymphoid cell generation. Immunity 38:694-704