MyD88-dependent dendritic and epithelial cell crosstalk orchestrates immune responses to allergens

Mucosal Immunol. 2018 May;11(3):796-810. doi: 10.1038/mi.2017.84. Epub 2017 Oct 25.

Abstract

Sensitization to inhaled allergens is dependent on activation of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and on the adaptor molecule, MyD88. However, many cell types in the lung express Myd88, and it is unclear how signaling in these different cell types reprograms cDCs and leads to allergic inflammation of the airway. By combining ATAC-seq with RNA profiling, we found that MyD88 signaling in cDCs maintained open chromatin at select loci even at steady state, allowing genes to be rapidly induced during allergic sensitization. A distinct set of genes related to metabolism was indirectly controlled in cDCs through MyD88 signaling in airway epithelial cells (ECs). In mouse models of asthma, Myd88 expression in ECs was critical for eosinophilic inflammation, whereas Myd88 expression in cDCs was required for Th17 cell differentiation and consequent airway neutrophilia. Thus, both cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic MyD88 signaling controls gene expression in cDCs and orchestrates immune responses to inhaled allergens.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Immunization
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / genetics
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism*
  • Respiratory Mucosa / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Th17 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Myd88 protein, mouse
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88