Role of allergen-driven epithelial genes in asthma pathogenesis

Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr, Cincinnati OH

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Abstract

Allergic diseases continue to pose a significant public health burden in modernized societies. Although the etiology of allergic diseases is unknown, they are thought to develop as a result of aberrant Th2 immune responses in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite this recognition, the factors driving Th2-mediated immune responses have remained elusive. Our preliminary data suggests the novel paradigm that allergen exposure induces epithelial cell injury which results in the release of an epithelial-derived factor, trefoil factor 2. Tff2, in turn induces the release of the "alarmin" IL-33, which drives Th2 cytokine production in innate immune cells. The production of Th2 cytokines, amplifies and perpetuates the response by driving additional Tff2 release. Importantly, we show that TFF2 levels are elevated in epithelial cells from asthmatic children undergoing an acute attack as compared to cells from healthy controls. Thus the goal of this proposal is to test the novel hypothesis that aberrant epithelial cell production of TFF2 is important in the induction and expression of Th2-mediated allergic responses in an IL-33-dependent manner. Moreover, we propose that genetic variation in the genes controlling this pathway (TFF2, IL-33, IL-1RL1) enhances the risk of developing allergic diseases (allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, eosinophilic esphagitis) in children. To test this hypothesis, we propose the following specific aims: 1) To determine the contribution of the Tff2/IL-33 pathway to the initiation of Th2-mediated allergic airway responses;2) To determine the mechanism by which TFF2 mediates IL-13-dependent AHR and mucus cell metaplasia;and 3) To determine whether dysregulation of the TFF2/IL-33 pathway contributes to the risk of developing allergic disorders in cohorts of children recruited from the Cincinnati Area. The studies in this Project are closely aligned with and benefit from the resources and information generated in Projects 1 and 2 of this U19, which are also focused on defining the contribution of altered mucosal epithelial function in the etiology of allergic diseases. Identification of the Tff2/IL-33 pathway as an important driver and amplifier of the allergic response should lead to the development of disease modifying therapies for the treatment of allergic disorders.