Involvement of CD40-CD40L and ICOS-ICOSL pathways in the development of
Chronic Rhinosinusitis by modulating eosinophil function
Abstract
Background: Whether the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) and inducible
co-stimulatory molecule (ICOS)-ICOS ligand (ICOSL) signals are involved
in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) development needs further investigation.
Objectives: To investigate the association of CD40-CD40L and
ICOS-ICOSL expression with CRS and underlying mechanisms.
Methods: Immunohistology detected the expression of CD40,
CD40L, ICOS, and ICOSL. Immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate the
co-locations of CD40 or ICOSL with eosinophils. Correlations between
CD40-CD40L and ICOS-ICOSL as well as clinical parameters were analyzed.
Flow cytometry was used to explore the activation of eosinophils by CD69
expression and the CD40 and ICOSL expression on eosinophils.
Results: Compared with the Non-eCRS subset, ECRS (Eosinophilic
chronic rhinosinusitis) subset showed significantly increased CD40,
ICOS, and ICOSL expression. The CD40, CD40L, ICOS, and ICOSL expressions
were all positively correlated with eosinophil infiltration in nasal
tissues. CD40 and ICOSL were mainly expressed on eosinophils. ICOS
expression was significantly correlated with the expression of
CD40-CD40L, while ICOSL expression was correlated with CD40 expression.
ICOS-ICOSL expression positively correlated with blood eosinophils count
and disease severity. rhCD40L and rhICOS significantly enhanced the
activation of eosinophils from ECRS patients. TNF-α and IL-5 obviously
upregulated CD40 and ICOSL expression on eosinophils, which was
significantly inhibited by the p38 MAPK inhibitor. Conclusions:
Increased CD40-CD40L and ICOS-ICOSL expression in nasal polyps are
linked to eosinophils infiltration and disease severity of CRS.
CD40-CD40L and ICOS-ICOSL signals enhance eosinophils activation of
ECRS. TNF-α and IL-5 regulate eosinophils function by increasing CD40
and ICOSL expression partly via p38 MAPK activation in CRS patients.