Complements and allergic asthma

Abstract

Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a central role in protecting against the development of allergic asthma and interleukin-10 (IL-10) producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells contribute to the regulation of asthma. Complement regulatory protein CD46 was shown to stimulate the development of IL-10 producing Tr1 cells. Crosslinking of CD46 during CD4+ T cell priming induces production of large amount of IL-10 and granzyme B. These CD46-induced regulatory T cells (Tr1) does not require pre-existing basal expression of FoxP3. Through local IL-10 and granzyme B secretion, such Tr1 cell could control T-cell-mediated inflammation. In asthmatic patients, we found that diminished IL-10, granzyme B, and CCR 4 expression from CD3/CD46-activated Tr1 cells. CD3/CD46-activated Tr1 cells from asthma patients co-cultured with BEAS-2B cells suppressed dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 2 (Der p 2)-induced nuclear factor-κB/p65 by cell contact inhibition. Decreased interaction of CD3/CD46-activated Tr1 and BEAS-2B cells from asthmatics was associated with downregulation of phosphorylation of protein kinase B expression. Decreased interaction between CD46-mediated Tr1 and lung epithelial cells with less IL-10 and granzyme B production may contribute to airway inflammation in allergic asthma. Der p specific immunotherapy enhances the suppressive function of IL-10 in CD46-mediated Tr1 cell from asthmatic patients and suppresses airway inflammation in these patients. Based on these results, it might be possible to design therapeutic strategies to manipulate complement activated Tr1 cells to achieve allergen tolerance and suppress airway inflammation in patients with allergic asthma.