Cutting edge: allergen-specific CD4 T cells respond indirectly to thymic stromal lymphopoietin to promote allergic responses in the skin

J Immunol. 2013 May 1;190(9):4474-7. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201677. Epub 2013 Mar 29.

Abstract

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial-derived cytokine that has been implicated in the initiation of allergic responses. CD4 T cells and dendritic cells are able to respond to TSLP in vitro; however, there has not been a careful dissection of the spatiotemporal response to TSLP by CD4 T cells in vivo during an allergic response. Previous work has suggested a requirement for TSLP in amplifying Th2 responses during allergen challenge by direct action on CD4 T cells; however, these studies did not determine whether there is an effect of TSLP on CD4 T cells during allergen sensitization. In this study we demonstrate an indirect role for TSLP on CD4 T cells during sensitization and challenge phases of an allergic response. This indirect effect of TSLP on CD4 T cells is due in part to the presence of TSLP exclusively in the allergen-sensitized and -challenged skin, rather than the draining lymph nodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Skin / immunology*
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Cytokines
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • TSLP protein, mouse