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Schistosoma japonicum egg antigens stimulate CD4 + CD25 + T cells and modulate airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma
Author(s) -
Yang Jianghua,
Zhao Jiaqing,
Yang Yanfeng,
Zhang Lei,
Yang Xue,
Zhu Xiang,
Ji Minjun,
Sun Nanxiong,
Su Chuan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2006.02472.x
Subject(s) - il 2 receptor , antigen , immunology , schistosoma japonicum , ovalbumin , biology , cytokine , inflammation , foxp3 , t cell , immune system , schistosomiasis , helminths
Summary A number of epidemiological and clinical studies have suggested an inverse association between allergy and helminth infection, such as Schistosomiasis. Therefore, we hypothesize that Schistosoma japonicum egg antigens, a type of native antigen, can induce production of CD4 + CD25 + T cells with regulatory activity, modulating airway inflammation and inhibiting asthma development. The frequency of CD4 + CD25 + T cells was determined by flow cytometry for mice treated with ovalbumin (OVA), CD25 + depletion/OVA, schistosome egg antigens, schistosome egg antigens/OVA and for control mice. The ability of CD25 + T cells from these mice to suppress T‐cell proliferation and cytokine production was investigated both in vivo and in vitro . Results showed that the CD4 + CD25 + T cells of OVA‐treated mice exhibited impaired control of dysregulated mucosal T helper 2 responses compared to the controls ( P < 0·05). Depletion of CD25 + cells accelerated OVA‐induced airway inflammation and increased the expression of interleukin (IL)‐5 and IL‐4. Treatment with schistosome egg antigens increased the number and suppressive activity of CD4 + CD25 + T cells, which made IL‐10, but little IL‐4. In a murine model of asthma, S. japonicum egg antigens decreased the expression of Th2 cytokines, relieved antigen‐induced airway inflammation, and inhibited asthma development. Thus, we provided evidence that S. japonicum egg antigens induced the production of CD4 + CD25 + T cells, resulting in constitutive immunosuppressive activity and inhibition of asthma development. These results reveal a novel form of protection against asthma and suggest a mechanistic explanation for the protective effect of helminth infection on the development of allergy.