C5a receptor signalling in dendritic cells controls the development of maladaptive Th2 and Th17 immunity in experimental allergic asthma

Mucosal Immunol. 2013 Jul;6(4):807-25. doi: 10.1038/mi.2012.119. Epub 2012 Dec 5.

Abstract

The pathways underlying dendritic cell (DC) activation in allergic asthma are incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that adoptive transfer of ovalbumin-pulsed wild-type (wt) but not of C5a receptor-deficient (C5aR⁻/⁻) bone marrow (BM)-derived DCs (BMDCs) induced mixed T helper type 2 (Th2)/Th17 maladaptive immunity, associated with severe airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus production, and mixed eosinophilic/neutrophilic inflammation. Mechanistically, antigen uptake, processing, and CD11b expression were reduced in C5aR⁻/⁻ BMDCs. Further, interleukin (IL)-1β, -6, and -23 production were impaired resulting in reduced Th17 cell differentiation, associated with accelerated activated T-cell death in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, we found an increased frequency of CD11b(hi)CD11c(int)Gr1⁺F4/80⁺ cells, expressing arginase and nitric oxide synthase in C5aR⁻/⁻ BM preparations. Intratracheal administration of ovalbumin-pulsed wt DCs and sorted CD11b(hi)CD11c(int)Gr1⁺F4/80⁺ C5aR⁻/⁻ cells reduced Th2 immune responses in vivo. Together, we uncover novel roles for C5aR in Th17 differentiation, T-cell survival, and differentiation of a DC-suppressor population controlling Th2 immunity in experimental allergic asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology
  • Allergens / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma / metabolism*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • CD11b Antigen / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Death / genetics
  • Cell Death / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phenotype
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / deficiency
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / genetics
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Th17 Cells / cytology
  • Th17 Cells / immunology*
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Surface
  • CD11b Antigen
  • Cytokines
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a