T helper 9 (Th9) cells contribute to lung inflammation and allergy as sources of interleukin-9 (IL-9). However, the mechanisms by which IL-9/Th9 mediate immunopathology in the lung are unknown. Here we report an IL-9-driven positive feedback loop that reinforces allergic inflammation. We show that IL-9 increases IL-2 production by mast cells, which leads to expansion of CD25þ type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and subsequent activation of Th9 cells. Blocking IL-9 or inhibiting CD117 (c-Kit) signalling counteracts the pathogenic effect of the described IL-9-mast cell-IL-2 signalling axis. Overproduction of IL-9 is observed in expectorates from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and a sex-specific variant of IL-9 is predictive of allergic reactions in female patients. Our results suggest that blocking IL-9 may be a therapeutic strategy to ameliorate inflammation associated with microbial colonization in the lung, and offers a plausible explanation for gender differences in clinical outcomes of patients with CF.

A mast cell-ILC2-Th9 pathway promotes lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis / S. Moretti, G. Renga, V. Oikonomou, C. Galosi, M. Pariano, R.G. Iannitti, M. Borghi, M. Puccetti, M. De Zuani, C.E. Pucillo, G. Paolicelli, T. Zelante, J.-. Renauld, O. Bereshchenko, P. Sportoletti, V. Lucidi, M.C. Russo, C. Colombo, E. Fiscarelli, C. Lass-Florl, F. Majo, G. Ricciotti, H. Ellemunter, L. Ratclif, V.N. Talesa, V. Napolioni, L. Romani. - In: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS. - ISSN 2041-1723. - 8(2017 Jan 16). [10.1038/ncomms14017]

A mast cell-ILC2-Th9 pathway promotes lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis

C. Colombo;
2017

Abstract

T helper 9 (Th9) cells contribute to lung inflammation and allergy as sources of interleukin-9 (IL-9). However, the mechanisms by which IL-9/Th9 mediate immunopathology in the lung are unknown. Here we report an IL-9-driven positive feedback loop that reinforces allergic inflammation. We show that IL-9 increases IL-2 production by mast cells, which leads to expansion of CD25þ type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) and subsequent activation of Th9 cells. Blocking IL-9 or inhibiting CD117 (c-Kit) signalling counteracts the pathogenic effect of the described IL-9-mast cell-IL-2 signalling axis. Overproduction of IL-9 is observed in expectorates from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and a sex-specific variant of IL-9 is predictive of allergic reactions in female patients. Our results suggest that blocking IL-9 may be a therapeutic strategy to ameliorate inflammation associated with microbial colonization in the lung, and offers a plausible explanation for gender differences in clinical outcomes of patients with CF.
Settore MED/38 - Pediatria Generale e Specialistica
16-gen-2017
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/558216
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