IL-33/ST2/IL-9/IL-9R signaling disrupts ocular surface barrier in allergic inflammation

Mucosal Immunol. 2020 Nov;13(6):919-930. doi: 10.1038/s41385-020-0288-4. Epub 2020 May 1.

Abstract

This study was to explore a novel IL-33/ST2/IL-9/IL-9R signaling pathway that disrupts ocular surface barrier and amplifies allergic inflammation. Two murine models of experimental allergic conjunctivitis (EAC) and IL-9 topical challenge in wild type Balb/c and ST2-/- mice, and two culture models of primarily human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and mouse CD4+ T cells were performed. Clinical manifestations, Oregon-Green Dextran (OGD) staining, the apical junction complexes (AJCs), IL-33/ST2 and IL-9/IL-9R signaling molecules were evaluated in ocular surface and its draining cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) by RT-qPCR, immunostaining and ELISA. The typical allergic signs, enhanced OGD staining intensity, disrupted morphology of AJCs, including ZO-1, claudin 1, occludin, and E-cadherin, and the stimulated signaling of IL-33/ST2 and IL-9/IL-9R were observed in ocular mucosa and draining CLNs in EAC-Balb/c mice, but significantly reduced or eliminated in EAC-ST2-/- mice. Topical challenge of IL-9 resulted in the obvious OGD staining and disrupted ocular surface AJCs in Balb/c mice and in HCECs in vitro. IL-9 production was found to be stimulated by IL-33 in CD4+ cells from Balb/c mice in vitro. Our findings uncovered a novel phenomenon and mechanism by which ocular surface barrier integrity is disrupted in allergic conjunctivitis by IL-33/ST2/IL-9/IL-9R signaling pathway, which may amplify the allergic inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Conjunctivitis, Allergic / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epithelium, Corneal / metabolism*
  • Epithelium, Corneal / pathology
  • Eye / metabolism*
  • Eye / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein / genetics
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-33 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-9 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Interleukin-9 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tight Junction Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Il1rl1 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukin-9
  • Receptors, Interleukin-9
  • Tight Junction Proteins