Background: The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) is an atypical receptor that regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, the role of DARC in asthma pathophysiology is unknown.
Objective: To determine the role of DARC in allergic airways disease in mice, and the association between DARC single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and clinical outcomes in patients with asthma.
Methods: Mice with targeted disruption of the Darc gene (Darc∆E2 ) or WT mice were challenged over 3 weeks with house dust mite (HDM) antigen. Allergic airways disease was assessed 24 hours and 7 days following the final challenge. Additionally, associations between DARC SNPs and clinical outcomes were analysed in a cohort of poorly controlled asthmatics.
Results: Total airway inflammation following HDM did not differ between Darc∆E2 and WT mice. At 24 hours, Darc∆E2 mice had increased airway hyperresponsiveness; however, at 7 days airway hyperresponsiveness had completely resolved in Darc∆E2 but persisted in WT mice. In poorly controlled asthmatics, DARC SNPs were associated with worse asthma control at randomization and subsequent increased risk of healthcare utilization (odds ratio 3.13(1.37-7.27), P=.0062).
Conclusions and clinical relevance: Our animal model and human patient data suggest a novel role for DARC in the temporal regulation in asthma pathophysiology and symptoms.
Keywords: Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines; airway hyperresponsiveness; asthma.
© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.