Toll-like receptor-2 agonist-allergen coupling efficiently redirects Th2 cell responses and inhibits allergic airway eosinophilia

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2012 Dec;47(6):852-63. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2011-0414OC. Epub 2012 Sep 6.

Abstract

Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists beneficially modulate allergic airway inflammation. However, the efficiency of TLR agonists varies considerably, and their exact cellular mechanisms (especially of TLR 2/6 agonists) are incompletely understood. We investigated at a cellular level whether the administration of the pharmacologically improved TLR2/6 agonist S-[2,3-bispalmitoyiloxy-(2R)-propyl]-R-cysteinyl-amido-monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (BPP) conjugated to antigenic peptide (BPP-OVA) could divert an existing Th2 response and influence airway eosinophilia. The effects of BPP-OVA on airway inflammation were assessed in a classic murine sensitization/challenge model and an adoptive transfer model, which involved the adoptive transfer of in vitro differentiated ovalbumin (OVA)-specific Th2 cells. Functional T-cell stimulation by lung dendritic cells (DCs) was determined both in vitro and in vivo, combined with a cytokine secretion analysis. A single mucosal application of BPP-OVA efficiently delivered antigen, led to TLR2-mediated DC activation, and resulted in OVA-specific T-cell proliferation via lung DCs in vivo. In alternative models of allergic airway disease, a single administration of BPP-OVA before OVA challenge (but not BPP alone) significantly reduced airway eosinophilia, most likely through altered antigen-specific T-cell stimulation via DCs. Analyses of adoptively transferred Th2-biased cells after BPP-OVA administration in vivo suggested that BPP-OVA guides antigen-specific Th2 cells to produce significantly higher amounts of IFN-γ upon allergen challenge. In conclusion, our data show for the first time that a single mucosal administration of a TLR 2/6 agonist-allergen conjugate can provoke IFN-γ responses in Th2-biased cells and alleviate allergic airway inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / physiology
  • Eosinophilia / immunology*
  • Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Female
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-5 / metabolism
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Ovalbumin / immunology*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Respiratory System / immunology
  • Respiratory System / pathology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / agonists*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6 / agonists
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6 / metabolism

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Interleukin-5
  • Lipopeptides
  • S-(2,3-bispalmitoyloxypropyl)-cysteinyl-amido-monomethoxyl polyethylene glycol
  • Tlr2 protein, mouse
  • Tlr6 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Ovalbumin