Exogenous interleukin-16 inhibits antigen-induced airway hyper-reactivity, eosinophilia and Th2-type cytokine production in mice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

IL-16 has been described as a natural soluble CD4-ligand with immunosuppressive effects in vitro. However, little is known about the effect of IL-16 on immune responses in vivo.

OBJECTIVE:

In the present study, we examined the effect of IL-16 administration in a murine model of allergic asthma. Next, we determined whether these effects were mediated by modulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Intraperitoneal administration of IL-16 completely inhibits antigen-induced airway hyper-responsiveness and largely decreases the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (> 90%) and airway tissue of ovalbumin-sensitized and challenged mice. Firstly, it appears that thoracic lymph node cells isolated from in vivo IL-16-treated ovalbumin-challenged animals produce less IL-4 (77%) and IL-5 (85%) upon antigenic re-stimulation, when compared to vehicle-treated mice. Secondly, pre-incubation of lymphocytes with IL-16 in vitro reduces antigen-induced proliferation (55%) and Th2-type cytokine production (IL-4; 56%, IL-5; 77%). Thirdly, the presence of IL-16 during priming cultures of TCR transgenic T cells (DO11.10), reduces IL-4 (33%) and IL-5 (35%), but not IL-10 and IFNgamma levels upon re-stimulation.

CONCLUSION:

It can be concluded that IL-16 has potent immunosuppressive effects on a Th2dominated allergic airway response.

• Authors: J J De Bie, E H Jonker, P A J Henricks, J Hoevenaars, F F Little, W W Cruikshank, F P Nijkamp, A J M Van Oosterhout
• Journal: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Clin Exp Allergy) Vol. 32 Issue 11 Pg. 1651-8 (Nov 2002) ISSN: 0954-7894 [Print] England
• PMID: 12569988 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens
• Cytokines
• Interleukin-16
• Immunoglobulin E
• Interferon-gamma
• Ovalbumin

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens
• Asthma (immunology)
• Bronchial Hyperreactivity (immunology)
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Cytokines (biosynthesis)
• Eosinophilia (immunology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Interferon-gamma (immunology)
• Interleukin-16 (pharmacology)
• Lung (immunology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Models, Animal
• Ovalbumin
• Th2 Cells (immunology)