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ABSTRACTInfection of C57BL/6 mice with the moderately virulent Cryptococcus neoformansstrain 52D models the complex adaptive immune response observed in HIV-negative patients with persistent fungal lung infections. In this model, Th1 and Th2 responses evolve over time, yet the contribution of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) to antifungal host defense is unknown. In this study, we show that fungal lung infection promoted an increase in Th17 T cells that persisted to 8 weeks postinfection. Our comparison of fungal lung infection in wild-type mice and IL-17A-deficient mice (IL-17A-/-mice; C57BL/6 genetic background) demonstrated that late fungal clearance was impaired in the absence of IL-17A. This finding was associated with reduced intracellular containment of the organism within lung macrophages and deficits in the accumulation of total lung leukocytes, including specific reductions in CD11c+CD11b+myeloid cells (dendritic cells and exudate macrophages), B cells, and CD8+T cells, and a nonsignificant trend in the reduction of lung neutrophils. Although IL-17A did not alter the total number of CD4 T cells, decreases in the total number of CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells expressing gamma interferon (IFN-?) were observed in IL-17A-/-mice. Lastly, expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) and the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on CD11c+CD11b+myeloid cells was diminished in IL-17A-/-mice. Collectively, these data indicate that IL-17A enhances host defenses against a moderately virulent strain of C. neoformansthrough effects on leukocyte recruitment, IFN-? production by CD4 and CD8 T cells, and the activation of lung myeloid cells.

ABSTRACTPulmonary arterial remodeling is a pathological process seen in a number of clinical disease states, driven by inflammatory cells and mediators in the remodeled artery microenvironment. In murine models, Th2 cell-mediated immune responses to inhaled antigens, such as purified Aspergillusallergen, have been reported to induce remodeling of pulmonary arteries. We have previously shown that repeated intranasal exposure of healthy C57BL/6 mice to viable, resting Aspergillus fumigatusconidia leads to the development of chronic pulmonary inflammation and the coevolution of Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses in the lungs. Our objective was to determine whether repeated intranasal exposure to Aspergillusconidia would induce pulmonary arterial remodeling in this mixed Th inflammatory microenvironment. Using weekly intranasal conidial challenges, mice developed robust pulmonary arterial remodeling after eight exposures (but not after two or four). The process was partially mediated by CD4+T cells and by interleukin-4 (IL-4) production, did not require eosinophils, and was independent of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and IL-17. Furthermore, remodeling could occur even in the presence of strong Th1 and Th17 responses. Rather than serving an anti-inflammatory function, IL-10 was required for the development of the Th2 response to A. fumigatusconidia. However, in contrast to previous studies of pulmonary arterial remodeling driven by the A. fumigatusallergen, viable conidia also stimulated pulmonary arterial remodeling in the absence of CD4+T cells. Remodeling was completely abrogated in IL-10−/−mice, suggesting that a second, CD4+T cell-independent, IL-10-dependent pathway was also driving pulmonary arterial remodeling in response to repeated conidial exposure.

Pulmonary arterial remodeling is a pathological process seen in a number of clinical disease states, driven by inflammatory cells and mediators in the remodeled artery microenvironment. In murine models, Th2 cell-mediated immune responses to inhaled antigens, such as purified Aspergillus allergen, have been reported to induce remodeling of pulmonary arteries. We have previously shown that repeated intranasal exposure of healthy C57BL/6 mice to viable, resting Aspergillus fumigatus conidia leads to the development of chronic pulmonary inflammation and the coevolution of Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses in the lungs. Our objective was to determine whether repeated intranasal exposure to Aspergillus conidia would induce pulmonary arterial remodeling in this mixed Th inflammatory microenvironment. Using weekly intranasal conidial challenges, mice developed robust pulmonary arterial remodeling after eight exposures (but not after two or four). The process was partially mediated by CD4+T cells and by interleukin-4 (IL-4) production, did not require eosinophils, and was independent of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and IL-17. Furthermore, remodeling could occur even in the presence of strong Th1 and Th17 responses. Rather than serving an anti-inflammatory function, IL-10 was required for the development of the Th2 response to A. fumigatus conidia. However, in contrast to previous studies of pulmonary arterial remodeling driven by the A. fumigatus allergen, viable conidia also stimulated pulmonary arterial remodeling in the absence of CD4+T cells. Remodeling was completely abrogated in IL-10–/–mice, suggesting that a second, CD4+T cell-independent, IL-10-dependent pathway was also driving pulmonary arterial remodeling in response to repeated conidial exposure.

ABSTRACTAspergillus fumigatus, a ubiquitous airborne fungus, can cause invasive infection in immunocompromised individuals but also triggers allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in a subset of otherwise healthy individuals repeatedly exposed to the organism. This study addresses a critical gap in our understanding of the immunoregulation in response to repeated exposure to A. fumigatusconidia. C57BL/6 mice were challenged intranasally with A. fumigatusconidia weekly, and leukocyte composition, activation, and cytokine production were examined after two, four, and eight challenges. Approximately 99% of A. fumigatusconidia were cleared within 24 h after inoculation, and repeated exposure to A. fumigatusconidia did not result in hyphal growth or accumulation of conidia with time. After 2 challenges, there was an early influx of neutrophils and regulatory T (Treg) cells into the lungs but minimal inflammation. Repeated exposure promoted sustained expansion of the draining lymph nodes, while the influx of eosinophils and other myeloid cells into the lungs peaked after four exposures and then decreased despite continued A. fumigatuschallenges. Goblet cell metaplasia and low-level fibrosis were evident during the response. Repeated exposure to A. fumigatusconidia induced T cell activation in the lungs and the codevelopment by four exposures of TH1, TH2, and TH17 responses in the lungs, which were maintained through eight exposures. Changes in CD4 T cell polarization or Tregnumbers did not account for the reduction in myeloid cell numbers later in the response, suggesting a non-T-cell regulatory pathway involved in dampening inflammation during repeated exposure to A. fumigatusconidia.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal neurodegenerative disease. Genetic predisposition, epigenetic changes, aging and accumulated life-long environmental exposures are known ALS risk factors. The complex and dynamic interplay between these pathological influences plays a role in disease onset and progression. Recently, the gut microbiome has also been implicated in ALS development. In addition, immune cell populations are differentially expanded and activated in ALS compared to healthy individuals. However, the temporal evolution of both the intestinal flora and the immune system relative to symptom onset in ALS is presently not fully understood. To better elucidate the timeline of the various potential pathological factors, we performed a longitudinal study to simultaneously assess the gut microbiome, immunophenotype and changes in ileum and brain epigenetic marks relative to motor behavior and muscle atrophy in the mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A) familial ALS mouse model. We identified alterations in the gut microbial environment early in the life of SOD1G93A animals followed by motor dysfunction and muscle atrophy, and immune cell expansion and activation, particularly in the spinal cord. Global brain cytosine hydroxymethylation was also altered in SOD1G93A animals at disease end-stage compared to control mice. Correlation analysis confirmed interrelationships with the microbiome and immune system. This study serves as a starting point to more deeply comprehend the influence of gut microorganisms and the immune system on ALS onset and progression. Greater insight may help pinpoint novel biomarkers and therapeutic interventions to improve diagnosis and treatment for ALS patients. This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.