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CD4(+) T helper cells engineered to produce latent TGF-beta 1 reverse allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity and inflammation JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION Hansen, G., McIntire, J. J., Yeung, V. P., Berry, G., Thorbecke, G. J., Chen, L. Z., DeKruyff, R. H., Umetsu, D. T. 2000; 105 (1): 61-70

Abstract

T helper 2 (Th2) cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of asthma, but the precise immunological mechanisms that inhibit Th2 cell function in vivo are not well understood. Using gene therapy, we demonstrated that ovalbumin-specific (OVA-specific) Th cells engineered to express latent TGF-beta abolished airway hyperreactivity and airway inflammation induced by OVA-specific Th2 effector cells in SCID and BALB/c mice. These effects correlated with increased concentrations of active TGF-beta in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, demonstrating that latent TGF-beta was activated in the inflammatory environment. In contrast, OVA-specific Th1 cells failed to inhibit airway hyperreactivity and inflammation in this system. The inhibitory effect of TGF-beta-secreting Th cells was antigen-specific and was reversed by neutralization of TGF-beta. Our results demonstrate that T cells secreting TGF-beta in the respiratory mucosa can indeed regulate Th2-induced airway hyperreactivity and inflammation and suggest that TGF-beta-producing T cells play an important regulatory role in asthma.

View details for Web of Science ID 000084579300009

View details for PubMedID 10619862