The presence and pathogenic roles of M(IL-33+IL-2) subset in allergic
airway inflammation
Abstract
Background: Macrophages, as one of the most abundant immune
cells in the lung, has drawn great attention in allergic asthma.
Currently, most studies emphasize on M2 polarization bias. However, the
function of macrophages in allergic asthma is still controversial. IL-9
contributes to the development and pathogenesis of allergic airway
inflammation. We sought to investigate the IL-9-producing macrophage
subset and its role in allergic asthma. Methods: The model of
OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation was employed to evaluate IL-9
production in macrophages of lung tissues. We used 22 cytokines or
stimuli to screen for IL-9-producing mouse macrophage subset in
vitro, and real-time PCR, flow cytometry, ELISA, immunofluorescence and
RNA-seq to explore the M(IL-33+IL-2) subset. Mice with Lyz-IL-33
receptor conditional knockout and adoptive transfer M(IL-33+IL-2) were
used to characterize the potential roles of M(IL-33+IL-2) in allergic
airway inflammation. Results: We identified a unique pathogenic
IL-9-producing macrophage subset in OVA-induced allergic airway
inflammation. We found that only IL-33 significantly induced IL-9
production in mouse macrophages, and IL-2 collaborated with IL-33 to
promote macrophages to produce IL-9, referred to as M(IL-33+IL-2).
Importantly, human monocyte-derived macrophages produced IL-9 after
IL-33 and IL-2 stimulation. Using mice with Lyz-IL-33 receptor
conditional knockout and adoptive transfer of M(IL-33+IL-2), we found
that M(IL-33+IL-2) significantly promoted pathogenesis in OVA-induced
allergic airway inflammation. M(IL-33+IL-2) subset has a distinctive
gene expression profile with high expression of cytokines and
M(IL-33+IL2) polarization is dependent on JAK2-STAT3-IRF1 pathway.
Conclusions: The identification of M(IL-33+IL-2) subset extends
the diversity and heterogeneity of macrophage subsets, and may offer
novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of allergic inflammation.