[PDF][PDF] Interleukin-2-dependent allergen-specific tissue-resident memory cells drive asthma

BD Hondowicz, D An, JM Schenkel, KS Kim… - Immunity, 2016 - cell.com
BD Hondowicz, D An, JM Schenkel, KS Kim, HR Steach, AT Krishnamurty, GJ Keitany…
Immunity, 2016cell.com
Exposure to inhaled allergens generates T helper 2 (Th2) CD4+ T cells that contribute to
episodes of inflammation associated with asthma. Little is known about allergen-specific Th2
memory cells and their contribution to airway inflammation. We generated reagents to
understand how endogenous CD4+ T cells specific for a house dust mite (HDM) allergen
form and function. After allergen exposure, HDM-specific memory cells persisted as central
memory cells in the lymphoid organs and tissue-resident memory cells in the lung …
Summary
Exposure to inhaled allergens generates T helper 2 (Th2) CD4+ T cells that contribute to episodes of inflammation associated with asthma. Little is known about allergen-specific Th2 memory cells and their contribution to airway inflammation. We generated reagents to understand how endogenous CD4+ T cells specific for a house dust mite (HDM) allergen form and function. After allergen exposure, HDM-specific memory cells persisted as central memory cells in the lymphoid organs and tissue-resident memory cells in the lung. Experimental blockade of lymphocyte migration demonstrated that lung-resident cells were sufficient to induce airway hyper-responsiveness, which depended upon CD4+ T cells. Investigation into the differentiation of pathogenic Trm cells revealed that interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling was required for residency and directed a program of tissue homing migrational cues. These studies thus identify IL-2-dependent resident Th2 memory cells as drivers of lung allergic responses.
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