1. Basophil-derived amphiregulin is essential for UVB irradiation-induced immune suppression.
- Author
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Meulenbroeks C, van Weelden H, Schwartz C, Voehringer D, Redegeld FAM, Rutten VPMG, Willemse T, Sijts AJAM, and Zaiss DMW
- Subjects
- Amphiregulin, Animals, Basophils metabolism, Basophils radiation effects, Dermatitis, Contact immunology, Disease Models, Animal, EGF Family of Proteins genetics, EGF Family of Proteins metabolism, Female, Male, Mast Cells immunology, Mast Cells metabolism, Mast Cells radiation effects, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory immunology, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory metabolism, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory radiation effects, Basophils immunology, Dermatitis, Contact radiotherapy, EGF Family of Proteins immunology, Immune Tolerance immunology, Immune Tolerance radiation effects, Ultraviolet Therapy
- Abstract
UVB irradiation (290-320 nm) is used to treat skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and is known to suppress contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reactions in mouse models. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) have been shown to be responsible for this UVB-induced suppression of CHS. The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor amphiregulin (AREG) engages EGFR on Treg cells and, in different disease models, it was shown that mast cell-derived AREG is essential for optimal Treg cell function in vivo. Here we determined whether AREG has a role in UVB-induced, Treg cell-mediated suppression of CHS reactions in the skin. Our data show that AREG is essential for UVB-induced CHS suppression. In contrast to the general assumption, however, mast cells were dispensable for UVB-induced immune suppression, whereas basophil-derived AREG was essential. These data reveal, to our knowledge, a previously unreported function for basophils in the homeostasis of immune responses in the skin. Basophils thus fulfill a dual function: they contribute to the initiation of effective type 2 immune responses and, by enhancing the suppressive capacity of local Treg cell populations, also to local immune regulation in the skin.
- Published
- 2015
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