Dysregulation of type 2 innate lymphoid cells and T(H)2 cells impairs pollutant-induced allergic airway responses

BACKGROUND: Although the prominent role of T(H)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 T(H)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)IL7R(Cre) (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 T(H)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 T(H)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 T(H)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 T(H)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.