Laundry detergents and surfactants‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation by increasing IL‐33 expression and activating ILC2s

Introduction Epidemiological studies demonstrated that cleaning work and frequent use of cleaning products are risk factors for asthma. Laundry detergents have been reported to have epithelial barrier‐opening effects. However, whether laundry detergents directly induce airway inflammation and its mechanisms in vivo remain to be elucidated. Methods Two commercial laundry detergents and two commonly used surfactants for cleaning and cosmetics (sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate) were intranasally administered to mice. Lungs were analyzed using flow cytometry, histology, ELISA, and quantitative PCR. Human bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with laundry detergents and analyzed using quantitative PCR and western blotting. Involvement of oxidative stress was assessed using an antioxidant. Dust samples from homes were analyzed to determine their detergent content by measuring their critical micelle concentration (CMC). Results The administered laundry detergents and surfactants‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation accompanied by increased IL‐33 expression and activation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). Detergent‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation was significantly attenuated in Rag2−/−Il2rg−/−, Il33−/− mice, and also in wild‐type mice treated with NAC. Detergent‐induced IL‐33 expression in airways was attenuated by NAC treatment, both in vivo and in vitro. CMCs were found in all of the tested dust extracts, and they differed significantly among the homes. Conclusion The laundry detergents and surfactants‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation in vivo through epithelial cell and ILC2 activation. They induced IL‐33 expression in airway epithelial cells through oxidative stress. Furthermore, detergent residues were present in house dust and are presumably inhaled into the airway in daily life. The administered laundry detergents and surfactants induced eosinophilic airway inflammation accompanied by increased IL‐33 expression and activation of ILC2s. Detergent‐induced IL‐33 expression in the airways was attenuated by an antioxidant (NAC). Detergent residues were detected in all the tested dust extracts, and their amounts differed among the homes.Abbreviations: HDM, house dust mite; IL, interleukin; ILC2, group 2 innate lymphoid cell; NAC, N‐acetyl‐1 cysteine; ROS, reactive oxygen species