We have identified novel mechanisms by which dendritic cells (DCs) influence T helper cells to mount immune responses in the lung. Our studies show that the allergen house dust mite and the Th2-skewing mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin (CT) induce expression of c-kit and its ligand, stem cell factor, on DCs resulting in high level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production from the DCs promoting Th2/Th17 differentiation but inhibiting Th1 differentiation. DCs lacking functional c-kit were unable to produce IL-6 and induce a robust Th2 or Th17 response and elicited diminished allergic airway inflammation when adoptively transferred into mice. DCs generated from mice expressing a catalytically inactive form of the p1104 subunit (p110D910A) of PI3 kinase secreted lower levels of IL-6 upon stimulation with CT. Along with our investigations of mechanisms underlying DC-mediated T cell differentiation, we have been also pursuing pathways that might contribute to DC-mediated tolerance to inhaled antigens. In these studies, we have the unexpected finding that lack of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) in mice does not impair antigen-induced airway tolerance although IDO has been associated with immune suppression in most studies. In contrast, mice lacking IDO displayed an attenuated allergic phenotype. Myeloid dendritic cells isolated from lung-draining lymph nodes of mice immunized for either Th1 or Th2 response revealed fewer mature DCs in the LNs of IDO-/- mice. However, the net functional impact of IDO deficiency on antigen-induced responses was more remarkable in the Th2 model than in the Th1 model. Our overall hypothesis for this renewal application is that DC-mediated T cell differentiation in the lung-draining lymph node in response to allergens or pathogens is orchestrated by: I. Expression of cell surface molecules such as c-kit and additional mediators (IDO and PGE2) in DCs, which, in turn, 2. Regulate signaling pathways such as PI3 kinase/Akt and MAPK to influence a) the balance of the downstream cytokines IL-6 and IL-12 and/or b) cell surface molecules such as Notch ligands in DCs that together influence the immune response. To address this hypothesis we will:
Aim I. Characterize pathways in DCs downstream of c-kit that differentially promote expression of IL-6 and Notch ligand, Jagged-2, but downregulate IL-12 production.
Aim II. Generate c-kit W42 mutant mice in a CD11c-expressing cell-specific fashion and effects on T cell responses in different models of lung inflammation.
Aim III. Characterize defects in lung DC function in the absence of IDO.

Public Health Relevance

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an essential role in guiding immune responses in the lung in response to allergens and infectious agents. In our efforts to understand the mechanisms of this process, we have identified molecules expressed by DCs that play decisive roles in the outcome of an immune response. Our goal in this application is to understand in detail the events orchestrated by molecules secreted (cytokines), expressed within (the enzyme indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase) or on the cell surface (c-kit and stem cell factor) of DCs during response to allergens and pathogens in the lung. These studies will help identify targets for inhibiting undesired immune responses in the lung at the same time promoting those that protect from infectious agents.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL077430-07
Application #
8034727
Study Section
Lung Cellular, Molecular, and Immunobiology Study Section (LCMI)
Program Officer
Eu, Jerry Pc
Project Start
2004-07-05
Project End
2013-02-28
Budget Start
2011-03-01
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$378,750
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Oriss, Timothy B; Krishnamoorthy, Nandini; Ray, Prabir et al. (2014) Dendritic cell c-kit signaling and adaptive immunity: implications for the upper airways. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 14:7-12
Oriss, Timothy B; Krishnamoorthy, Nandini; Raundhal, Mahesh et al. (2014) Cutting Edge: MMP-9 inhibits IL-23p19 expression in dendritic cells by targeting membrane stem cell factor affecting lung IL-17 response. J Immunol 192:5471-5475
Ray, Anuradha; Chakraborty, Krishnendu; Ray, Prabir (2013) Immunosuppressive MDSCs induced by TLR signaling during infection and role in resolution of inflammation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 3:52
Khare, Anupriya; Krishnamoorthy, Nandini; Oriss, Timothy B et al. (2013) Cutting edge: inhaled antigen upregulates retinaldehyde dehydrogenase in lung CD103+ but not plasmacytoid dendritic cells to induce Foxp3 de novo in CD4+ T cells and promote airway tolerance. J Immunol 191:25-9
Poe, S L; Arora, M; Oriss, T B et al. (2013) STAT1-regulated lung MDSC-like cells produce IL-10 and efferocytose apoptotic neutrophils with relevance in resolution of bacterial pneumonia. Mucosal Immunol 6:189-99
Krishnamoorthy, Nandini; Khare, Anupriya; Oriss, Timothy B et al. (2012) Early infection with respiratory syncytial virus impairs regulatory T cell function and increases susceptibility to allergic asthma. Nat Med 18:1525-30
Arora, Meenakshi; Poe, Stephanie L; Ray, Anuradha et al. (2011) LPS-induced CD11b+Gr1(int)F4/80+ regulatory myeloid cells suppress allergen-induced airway inflammation. Int Immunopharmacol 11:827-32
Ray, Prabir; Arora, Meenakshi; Poe, Stephanie L et al. (2011) Lung myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulation of inflammation. Immunol Res 50:153-8
Bhatia, Shikha; Fei, Mingjian; Yarlagadda, Manohar et al. (2011) Rapid host defense against Aspergillus fumigatus involves alveolar macrophages with a predominance of alternatively activated phenotype. PLoS One 6:e15943
Fei, Mingjian; Bhatia, Shikha; Oriss, Timothy B et al. (2011) TNF-alpha from inflammatory dendritic cells (DCs) regulates lung IL-17A/IL-5 levels and neutrophilia versus eosinophilia during persistent fungal infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:5360-5

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