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Epithelial Cell Membrane Perforation Induces Allergic Airway Inflammation

ABSTRACT: Allergens that induce allergic airway inflammation are highly diverse, yet they commonly activate type 2 immune responses1,2. Airway epithelial cells are crucial in the immune sensing of allergens3-5. However, what shared features among diverse allergens lead to their similar innate immune sensing, and how epithelial cells detect these features, remain poorly defined1,2,6-9. Here, we show that pore-forming proteins represent one of the common stimuli of allergic airway inflammation and elucidate their immune activation mechanisms. Using the prevalent mold allergen Alternaria alternata (A. alternata) as a model, we established a unique in vitro system to investigate type 2 innate immune sensing. Through a six-step biochemical fractionation, we identified its core immune-stimulatory components as Aeg-S and Aeg-L. Biochemical reconstitution and cryo-electron microscopy demonstrate that these proteins form 16-20-mer transmembrane pore complexes. Their cooperative perforation acts as a bona fide type 2 immune adjuvant to support antigen-specific TH2 and IgE responses. Genetically engineered A. alternata strains lacking such pore-forming activity fail to induce allergic responses in mice. Moreover, pore-forming proteins from various species, despite structural and membrane target differences, are sufficient to trigger respiratory allergies. Perforations in airway epithelial cells initiate allergic responses through two mechanisms: one triggers IL-33 release; another involves Ca2+ influx, which induces MAPK pathway activation and type 2 inflammatory gene expression. These findings provide insight into how type 2 immune responses detect common perturbations caused by structurally diverse stimuli. Targeting downstream signaling of epithelial cell perforation may open new avenues for treating respiratory allergies.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE276386 | GEO | 2025/06/18

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Rationale: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, has been considered as an important regulator for immune diseases. We have previously shown that AhR protects against allergic airway inflammation. The underlying mechanism, however, remains undetermined. Objectives: We sought to determine whether AhR specifically in Type II alveolar epithelial cells (AT2) modulates allergic airway inflammation and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: The role of AhR in AT2 cells in airway inflammation was investigated in a mouse model of asthma with AhR conditional knock out mice in AT2 cells (Sftpc-Cre;AhRflox/flox). The effect of AhR on allergen-induced autophagy was examined by both in vivo and in vitro analyses. The involvement of autophagy in airway inflammation was analyzed by using autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. The AhR-regulated gene profiling in AT2 cells was also investigated by RNA-seq analysis. Results: Sftpc-Cre; AhRflox/flox mice showed exacerbation of allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation with elevated Th2 and airway epithelial-derived cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Notably, an increased allergen-induced autophagy was observed in the lung tissues of Sftpc-Cre; AhRflox/flox mice when compared with wild-type mice. Further analyses suggested a functional axis of AhR-TGF-β1 that is critical in driving allergic airway inflammation through regulating allergen-induced cellular autophagy. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy suppressed allergic airway inflammation with decreased Th2 and epithelial cell-derived cytokines in BALFs. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis suggests that autophagy is one of the major pathways and CALCOCO2/NDP52 and S1009 are major autophagy-associated genes in AT2 cells that contribute to the AhR-mediated allergic airway inflammation. Conclusion: These results suggest that AhR in AT2 cells functions as a protective mechanism against allergic airway inflammation through controlling cell autophagy.

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Epithelial Cell Membrane Perforation Induces Allergic Airway Inflammation

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