Modulation of airway inflammation by immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides in a murine model of allergic aspergillosis

Infect Immun. 2004 Oct;72(10):6087-94. doi: 10.1128/IAI.72.10.6087-6094.2004.

Abstract

Allergic aspergillosis is a Th2 T-lymphocyte-mediated pulmonary complication in patients with atopic asthma and cystic fibrosis. Therefore, any therapeutic strategy that selectively inhibits Th2 T-cell activation may be useful in downregulating allergic lung inflammation in asthma. In the present study, we developed a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN)-based immune intervention of allergic inflammation in a mouse model of allergic aspergillosis. Four different groups of mice were used in a short-term immunization protocol. Three experimental groups of animals (groups 1 to 3) were sensitized with Aspergillus fumigatus antigens. Animals in group 1 were immunized with A. fumigatus antigen alone, while those in group 2 were treated with CpG-ODN 1 day before the first antigen immunization, and the animals in group 3 received the first CpG-ODN administration between the antigen treatments. The animals in group 4 served as controls and were given phosphate-buffered saline. Allergen-specific serum immunoglobulins and total immunoglobulin E in different groups of animals were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while airway remodeling and cytokine production were studied by immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated that CpG-ODN administration either before (group 2) or between (group 3) antigen treatments resulted in reduced total immunoglobulin E levels and peripheral blood eosinophil numbers compared to A. fumigatus allergen-sensitized group 1 animals. Similarly, treatment with CpG-ODN also downregulated inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, and basement membrane thickening compared to A. fumigatus-sensitized mice. The distinct reduction in peripheral blood eosinophilia and airway remodeling in CpG-ODN-treated mice emphasized its usefulness as an immunomodulating agent for allergic fungal diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Fungal / blood
  • Antibodies, Fungal / immunology
  • Antigens, Fungal / immunology
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / complications
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / drug therapy
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / immunology*
  • Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / pathology*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / immunology
  • Basement Membrane / drug effects
  • Basement Membrane / pathology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
  • CpG Islands / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Eosinophilia / drug therapy
  • Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Eosinophils / cytology
  • Eosinophils / drug effects
  • Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-5 / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mucous Membrane / drug effects
  • Mucous Membrane / metabolism
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / pharmacology*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • CPG-oligonucleotide
  • Glycoproteins
  • Interleukin-5
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Interleukin-4
  • Immunoglobulin E