IL-9-mediated survival of type 2 innate lymphoid cells promotes damage control in helminth-induced lung inflammation

J Exp Med. 2013 Dec 16;210(13):2951-65. doi: 10.1084/jem.20130071. Epub 2013 Nov 18.

Abstract

IL-9 fate reporter mice established type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) as major producers of this cytokine in vivo. Here we focus on the role of IL-9 and ILC2s during the lung stage of infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, which results in substantial tissue damage. IL-9 receptor (IL-9R)-deficient mice displayed reduced numbers of ILC2s in the lung after infection, resulting in impaired IL-5, IL-13, and amphiregulin levels, despite undiminished numbers of Th2 cells. As a consequence, the restoration of tissue integrity and lung function was strongly impaired in the absence of IL-9 signaling. ILC2s, in contrast to Th2 cells, expressed high levels of the IL-9R, and IL-9 signaling was crucial for the survival of activated ILC2s in vitro. Furthermore, ILC2s in the lungs of infected mice required the IL-9R to up-regulate the antiapoptotic protein BCL-3 in vivo. This highlights a unique role for IL-9 as an autocrine amplifier of ILC2 function, promoting tissue repair in the recovery phase after helminth-induced lung inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphiregulin
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Survival
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • EGF Family of Proteins
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Inflammation
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Interleukin-13 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-9 / genetics
  • Interleukin-9 / metabolism*
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung Diseases / immunology
  • Lung Diseases / parasitology*
  • Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nippostrongylus
  • Pneumonia / immunology
  • Pneumonia / parasitology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Strongylida Infections / immunology*
  • Strongylida Infections / parasitology

Substances

  • Amphiregulin
  • Areg protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • EGF Family of Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-9