Aspergillus fumigatus generates an enhanced Th2-biased immune response in mice with defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

J Immunol. 2006 Oct 15;177(8):5186-94. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.8.5186.

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by persistent airway inflammation and airway infection that ultimately leads to respiratory failure. Aspergillus sp. are present in the airways of 20-40% of CF patients and are of unclear clinical significance. In this study, we demonstrate that CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-deficient (CFTR knockout, Cftr(tm1Unc-)TgN(fatty acid-binding protein)CFTR) and mutant (DeltaF508) mice develop profound lung inflammation in response to Aspergillus fumigatus hyphal Ag exposure. CFTR-deficient mice also develop an enhanced Th2 inflammatory response to A. fumigatus, characterized by elevated IL-4 in the lung and IgE and IgG1 in serum. In contrast, CFTR deficiency does not promote a Th1 immune response. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CD4+ T cells from naive CFTR-deficient mice produce higher levels of IL-4 in response to TCR ligation than wild-type CD4+ T cells. The Th2 bias of CD4+ T cells in the absence of functional CFTR correlates with elevated nuclear levels of NFAT. Thus, CFTR is important to maintain the Th1/Th2 balance in CD4+ T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Fungal / immunology
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / immunology*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / deficiency*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / immunology*
  • Homeostasis / immunology
  • Immunity
  • Inflammation
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator