Basic Immunology
Dynamic changes in peripheral type Ⅱ innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) subpopulation and its clinical significance in children with hay fever during the pollen season
Qing Miao, Yixin Ren, Yongge Liu, Yan Wang, Zhen Li, Hui Guan, Li Xiang
Published 2020-01-31
Cite as Chin J Microbiol Immunol, 2020, 40(1): 25-31. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-5101.2020.01.005
Abstract
ObjectiveTo analyze the dynamic changes in the expression and function of peripheral type Ⅱ innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) subpopulation and the activity of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT6) in children with hay fever during pollen season.
MethodsA total of 10 patients with hay fever, 10 patients with house dust mite (HDM)-sensitized asthma and 12 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Changes in peripheral ILC2 and the intracellular expression of Th2-related cytokines were detected by flow cytometry during and outside the pollen season. Peripheral Lin- cell population was isolated from each group and cultured with the presence of IL-25 or IL-33 for 7 d. The concentrations of IL-5 and IL-13 in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Expression of phospho-STAT6 at protein level was quantified by Western blot.
ResultsWithin the pollen season, the percentage of peripheral ILC2 cells was significantly higher in children with hay fever [(23.09±7.86)%] than in children with HDM-sensitized asthma [(6.84±3.85)%, P<0.05] and healthy children[(1.69±0.87)%, P<0.05]. In the non-pollen season, the peripheral ILC2 cells in children with hay fever presented a decreasing trend [(11.30±2.45)%], but was still higher than that in HDM-sensitized asthmatics [(3.76±1.96)%, P<0.05] and HC [(1.32±0.91)%, P<0.05] at the same time point. Moreover, peripheral IL-13+ ILC2 cells in children with hay fever [(6.94±3.16)% vs(4.17±1.98)%, P<0.05] and in HDM-sensitized asthmatics [(1.89±0.70)% vs(1.44±0.55)%, P<0.05] during the pollen season were significantly higher than those in the non-pollen season. After the in vitro stimulation with IL25 or IL-33, the levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in culture supernatants were both increased in children with hay fever and HDM-sensitized asthmatics, and a synergistic action was observed when IL25 and IL-33 were used in combination. Meanwhile, the protein level of phospho-STAT4 in Lin- cells was significantly up-regulated in the hay fever group after stimulation with IL25 and IL-33.
ConclusionsDuring the pollen season, the abnormal number and function of ILC2 subpopulation in children with hay fever might be another cause of the occurrence of clinical symptoms in a short period of time or acute exacerbation.
Key words:
Hay fever; House dust mite; Artemisia; Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6; Type Ⅱ innate lymphocyte cells
Contributor Information
Qing Miao
Department of Allergy, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Childrens′ Health, Beijing 100045, China
Yixin Ren
Yongge Liu
Yan Wang
Zhen Li
Hui Guan
Li Xiang
