Dysregulation of type 2 innate lymphoid cells and TH 2 cells impairs pollutant-induced allergic airway responses

Background Although the prominent role of TH 2 cells in type 2 immune responses is well established, the newly identified type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) can also contribute to orchestration of allergic responses. Several experimental and epidemiologic studies have provided evidence that allergen-induced airway responses can be further enhanced on exposure to environmental pollutants, such as diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). However, the components and pathways responsible remain incompletely known. Objective We sought to investigate the relative contribution of ILC2 and adaptive TH 2 cell responses in a murine model of DEP-enhanced allergic airway inflammation. Methods Wild-type, Gata-3+/nlslacZ (Gata-3–haploinsufficient), RAR-related orphan receptor α (RORα)fl/fl IL7RCre (ILC2-deficient), and recombination-activating gene (Rag) 2−/− mice were challenged with saline, DEPs, or house dust mite (HDM) or DEP+HDM. Airway hyperresponsiveness, as well as inflammation, and intracellular cytokine expression in ILC2s and TH 2 cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue were assessed. Results Concomitant DEP+HDM exposure significantly enhanced allergic airway inflammation, as characterized by increased airway eosinophilia, goblet cell metaplasia, accumulation of ILC2s and TH 2 cells, type 2 cytokine production, and airway hyperresponsiveness compared with sole DEPs or HDM. Reduced Gata-3 expression decreased the number of functional ILC2s and TH 2 cells in DEP+HDM-exposed mice, resulting in an impaired DEP-enhanced allergic airway inflammation. Interestingly, although the DEP-enhanced allergic inflammation was marginally reduced in ILC2-deficient mice that received combined DEP+HDM, it was abolished in DEP+HDM-exposed Rag2−/− mice. Conclusion These data indicate that dysregulation of ILC2s and TH 2 cells attenuates DEP-enhanced allergic airway inflammation. In addition, a crucial role for the adaptive immune system was shown on concomitant DEP+HDM exposure.