IL-21 receptor signalling partially mediates Th2-mediated allergic airway responses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) has been implicated in the development of Th2-mediated immune responses; however, the exact role it plays in allergic diseases is not well understood.

Objective

To elucidate the contribution of IL-21 receptor signalling to Th2-dependent immune responses in the lung.

Methods

We compared allergic airway responses in wild-type BALB/c and Il21r-deficient mice exposed to local airway challenge with house dust mite (HDM).

Results

We demonstrate that IL-21R-deficiency reduces HDM-driven airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) with only partial effects on airway inflammation. Concomitant with the reduction in AHR in Il21r-deficient mice, significant suppression was observed in protein levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4, and IL-13. In contrast,

SUBMITTER: Lajoie S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4083497 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature