Extracellular host-derived
DNA, as one of damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), is associated with allergic type 2 immune responses. Immune recognition of such
DNA generates the second messenger
cyclic GMP-AMP (
cGAMP) and induces type-2 immune responses; however, its role in allergic diseases, such as
asthma, has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to determine whether
cGAMP could induce
asthma when used as an adjuvant. We intranasally sensitized mice with
cGAMP together with house dust mite
antigen (HDM), followed by airway challenge with HDM. We then assessed the levels of eosinophils in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum HDM-specific
antibodies.
cGAMP promoted HDM specific allergic
asthma, characterized by significantly increased HDM specific
IgG1 and total
IgE in the serum and infiltration of eosinophils in the BALF.
cGAMP stimulated lung fibroblast cells to produce
IL-33 in vitro, and mice deficient for
IL-33 or
IL-33 receptor (ST2) failed to develop
asthma enhancement by
cGAMP. Not only Il-33-/- mice, but also
Sting-/-, Tbk1-/-, and Irf3-/-Irf7-/- mice which lack the
cGAMP-mediated innate immune activation failed to increase eosinophils in the BALF than that from wild type mice. Consistently, intranasal and
oral administration of
amlexanox, a TBK1 inhibitor, decreased
cGAMP-induced lung allergic
inflammation. Thus,
cGAMP functions as a type 2 adjuvant in the lung and can promote allergic
asthma in manners that dependent on the intracellular
STING/TBK1/IRF3/7 signaling pathway and the resultant intercellular signaling pathway via
IL-33 and ST2 might be a novel therapeutic target for allergic
asthma.