Double-stranded RNA exacerbates pulmonary allergic reaction through TLR3: implication of airway epithelium and dendritic cells

J Immunol. 2010 Jul 1;185(1):451-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0902833. Epub 2010 May 26.

Abstract

Respiratory viral infections have been implicated in exacerbations of allergic asthma, characterized by a Th2-biased immune response. Respiratory viruses target airway epithelial cells and dendritic cells (DCs). Their activation is, at least in part, mediated by the TLR3-dependent recognition of virus-derived dsRNA. To elucidate the role of epithelial cells and DCs and the implication of TLR3/Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-beta (TRIF) pathway, we developed a mouse model of lung allergic exacerbation. The effect of intranasal administration of dsRNA in OVA-sensitized wild-type mice and TRIF(-/-) mice was evaluated on airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary inflammation. Our data demonstrated that treatment with dsRNA significantly increased the airway hyperresponsiveness, the lung inflammation, and the OVA-specific Th2 response. This was associated with an infiltrate of eosinophils, myeloid DCs, and T lymphocytes. TRIF activation was required for the development of dsRNA-induced exacerbation of the allergic reaction. Intratracheal transfer of IL-4/dsRNA/OVA-pretreated DCs also triggered exacerbation of the allergic reaction, whereas cells primed with dsRNA/OVA had a more limited effect. dsRNA-induced production of CCL20 by airway epithelium was associated with DC recruitment. In vivo and in vitro treatment with dsRNA amplified airway epithelial production of the pro-Th2 chemokines CCL11 and CCL17, their secretion being enhanced by Th2 cytokines. In conclusion, dsRNA derived from respiratory viruses trigger exacerbation of the pulmonary allergic reaction through TLR3/TRIF-dependent pathway. Moreover, Th2 cytokines participate in this process by modulating the response of airway epithelium and DCs to dsRNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / deficiency
  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / physiology
  • Allergens / administration & dosage*
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / genetics
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology*
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / pathology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Dendritic Cells / transplantation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Ovalbumin / administration & dosage
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / toxicity*
  • RNA, Viral / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Viral / toxicity*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / immunology*
  • Respiratory Mucosa / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / deficiency
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / physiology*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Allergens
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Viral
  • TICAM-1 protein, mouse
  • TLR3 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Ovalbumin