TLR ligands of ryegrass pollen microbial contaminants enhance Th1 and Th2 responses and decrease induction of Foxp3(hi) regulatory T cells
Rice, G; Mittag, D; Varese, N; Mansell, A; O'Hehir, RE; Barker, G; Scholzen, A; Rolland, JM
Abstract
Microbial contamination of grass pollens could affect sensitization, subsequent allergic response, and efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy. We investigated whether bacterial immunomodulatory substances can direct PBMC responses of allergic and nonatopic subjects against ryegrass pollen (RGP) toward Th1, Th2, or regulatory T (Treg) cells. Aqueous extracts of RGP with high or low LPS were fractionated into large and small molecular weight (MW) components by diafiltration. CFSE-labeled PBMCs from allergic and nonatopic subjects were stimulated with RGP extracts (RGPEs) and analyzed for cytokine secretion and T-cell responses. High LPS RGPE increased IFN-γ(+) Th1 and IL-4(+) Th2 effector cell induction and consistently decreased CD4(+) Foxp3(hi) Treg-cell induction. IL-10-producing T-cell frequency was unaltered, but IL-10 secretion was increased by high LPS RGPE. RGPE-stimulation of TLR-transfected cell lines revealed that high LPS pollen also contained a TLR2-ligand, and both batches a TLR9-ligand. Beta-1,3-glucans were detected in large and small MW fractions and were also T-cell stimulatory. In conclusion, coexposure to allergen and proinflammatory microbial stimuli does not convert an established Th2- into a Th1-response. Instead, proinflammatory responses are exacerbated and Foxp3(hi) Treg-cell induction is decreased. These findings show that adjuvants for specific immunotherapy should enhance Treg cells rather than target immune deviation from Th2 to Th1.
| Journal | EUR J IMMUNOL |
| ISSN | 0014-2980 |
| Published | 01 Mar 2013 |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 723-33 |
| DOI | 10.1002/eji.201242747 |
| Type | Journal Article |
| Sponsorship |
NHMRC
Other
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