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Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is an experimental model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) that can be studied in mice. This study aims to present an objective laboratory method that may help to study the CHS reaction in mice, which can be measured and quantified by various tests. To induce CHS, on day "0", mice were sensitized on a previously shaved spot by abdominal skin painting with the hapten 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in an acetone-ethanol mixture, whereas negative control mice were sham sensitized with vehicle alone-acetone-ethanol mixture. On day "4", the baseline ear thickness was measured with a micrometer prior to the elicitation of CHS (challenge) by painting both ears with diluted TNCB both in the test and control groups. After 24 h, the ear swelling was measured with a micrometer. CHS is an example of a T cell-mediated immune response that causes swelling in inflamed tissue, peaking 24 h after the skin challenge with the same hapten. An increase in ear edema correlated with augmented ear weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration in the ear extracts, increased thickening of the edematous dermis in the histological examination, and ear vascular permeability. There was also an increase in the concentration of TNP-specific IgG1 antibodies in the sera of the test group when compared with the control mice. Additionally, CHS can be successfully transferred with the CHS-effector cells obtained from donors previously sensitized with TNCB. The CHS-effector cells were administered intravenously into naïve recipient mice, which were subsequently challenged with the same diluted hapten. Ear swelling was measured with a micrometer 24 h later.

Background Previous studies showed that NK cells mediate contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reaction. Many reports are showing that obesity promotes several inflammatory diseases. It was shown that diet-induced obesity (DIO) aggravates classical T cell-mediated CHS in mice. Objectives To determine whether the high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity modulates antigen-specific NK cell-mediated response. Methods We evaluated the effect of DIO on NK cell-mediated CHS reaction using a model of dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced CHS in Rag1-/- mice. Results Rag1-/- mice fed HFD for 8 but not for 4 weeks developed aggravated CHS reaction determined by ear swelling measurement when compared to animals kept on normal diet (ND) prior to DNFB sensitization. The obese Rag1-/- mice presented the adipose tissue inflammation. Furthermore, in vitro analysis showed that feeding with HFD significantly increases IFN-γ and IL-12p70 and decreases adiponectin concentration in liver mononuclear cells (LMNC) culture supernatants. The flow cytometry analysis of LMNC revealed that HFD treatment prior to DNFB sensitization increases the percentage of NK1.1+ IFN-γ+ cell population and affects the development and maturation of NK1.1+ cells. Conclusions In summary, current results suggest that the DIO significantly modulates the local and systemic inflammatory response, contributing to exacerbation of the CHS response mediated by liver NK cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Introduction It is well known that the microbiota of the human body is important for human health. The latest technological advances in molecular biology not only confirm the presence of microbial communities in the digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts, but have also led to the detection of the presence of microbiota in niches, previously considered as sterile, for example, in the uterus. Objective In this review we attempt to define the composition of uterine microbiota and its physiological role in the female genital tract. Moreover, we present possible consequences of changes in uterine microbiota composition on the development of gynaecologic disorders. State of knowledge Recent findings suggest the presence of bacteria in amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord blood and in the placenta. This data imply the influence of the uterine microbiota on reproductive and obstetric outcomes, as well as on foetal development and health status. The state of uterine microbiota can influence the efficiency of assisted reproductive technology. Some evidence suggesting a relationship between prenatal microbiota exposure and increased predisposition to some diseases in adulthood is particularly important. Conclusions The influence of the uterine microbiota on fertility disorders, foetus development and newborn health is an important direction of research. In the future, the status of uterine microbiota should play an important role in everyday clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation in tissues and predisposes to various complications, including inflammatory skin diseases. However, the link between obesity and contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the influence of obesity on T helper 1 (Th1)–mediated CHS. METHODS: The activity/phenotype/cytokine profile of the immune cells was tested in vivo and in vitro. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), we tested the role of a high-fat diet (HFD)–induced gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis in increasing the effects of CHS. RESULTS: Exacerbated CHS correlates with an increased inflammation-inducing GM in obese mice. We showed a proinflammatory milieu in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese mice, accompanied by proinflammatory CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells in skin draining lymph nodes and spleen. Obese interleukin (IL)-17A−/−B6 mice are protected from CHS aggravation, suggesting the importance of IL-17A in CHS aggravation in obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity creates a milieu that induces more potent CHS-effector cells but does not have effects on already activated CHS-effector cells. IL-17A is essential for the pathogenesis of enhanced CHS during obesity. Our study provides novel knowledge about antigen-specific responses in obesity, which may help with the improvement of existing treatment and/or in designing novel treatment for obesity-associated skin disorders.

BACKGROUND It has previously been shown that appropriate distribution of immune cells between different tissues and organs of the body is required for proper function of the immune system. Our previous work demonstrated that surgical trauma in mice induces γδT lymphocyte migration from peripheral blood to the peritoneal lymphoid organs. These described γδT cells have immunoregulatory activity as they suppress the cell-mediated immune response in vitro. We found a similar phenomenon in patients after different surgical operations. In the current study, we analyse post-operative complications in patients with a significant post-operative decrease in γδT cells. METHODS We investigated the percentage of γδT cells in peripheral blood of patients undergoing standard surgical procedures (gastric resection, colorectal resection, cholecystectomy and strumectomy) before and 3 days after the operation. The percentage of γδT cells was evaluated by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting cytofluorimeter. Patients were grouped based on the decrease of γδT cells. We compared the number of septic complications in patients with a large and small decrease in γδT cells. RESULTS After major surgery in the peritoneal cavity (gastric and colorectal surgery), in the group that had a large decrease in γδT cells we found significantly more septic complications than in the group of patients with small γδT decrease. That effect was not visible after less traumatic surgery. CONCLUSION Surgery results in a decreased percentage of γδT lymphocytes in the peripheral human blood which correlates with the number of septic complications. This observation may help to predict post-operative recovery after gastroabdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that liver NK cells mediate contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reaction in mice. There are many reports showing that obesity is accompanied with chronic low-grade inflammation and it promotes several inflammatory diseases. It was shown that diet-induced obesity (DIO) aggravates classical T cell-mediated CHS in C57BL/6 mice. Our work sheds light on a poorly explored subject of the influence of DIO on the course of NK cell-mediated CHS reaction in mice. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of DIO on NK cell-mediated CHS reaction using a model of dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced CHS in Rag1-/- mice. RESULTS: Our data show that mice fed HFD for 8 but not for 4 weeks developed aggravated CHS reaction determined by ear swelling measurement when compared to animals kept on normal diet (ND) prior to DNFB sensitization. The obese Rag1-/- mice presented the adipose tissue inflammation. Furthermore, in vitro analysis showed that feeding with HFD significantly increases IFN-γ and IL-12p70 and decreases adiponectin concentration in liver mononuclear cells (LMNC) culture supernatants. The flow cytometry analysis of LMNC revealed that HFD treatment prior to DNFB sensitization increases the percentage of NK1.1+IFN-γ+ cell population and affects development and maturation of NK1.1+ cells. CONCLUSION: In summary, current results suggest that the DIO significantly modulates the local and systemic inflammatory response, contributing to exacerbation of the CHS response mediated by liver NK cells.

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, the gut microbiota have been identified to be an important environmental factor that could modify diabetes susceptibility. We have previously shown that Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), a major adaptor protein downstream of most innate immune Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, is important for mediating diabetes susceptibility in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of human T1D. Here we report the role of TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) in T1D development, as TRIF is an important adaptor protein downstream of TLR3 and TLR4 signaling. We found that TRIF-deficient (TRIF(−/−)) NOD mice were protected from development of diabetes, but only when housed with TRIF-deficient (TRIF(−/−)) NOD mice. When housed with TRIF-sufficient wild type (WT, i.e., TRIF(+/+)) NOD mice, the mice developed diabetes. We further investigated the gut microbiota as a potential cause for the altered diabetes development. Interestingly, TRIF(−/−)NOD mice had a different microbiota composition compared to WT NOD mice, only if they were housed with TRIF(−/−)NOD mice. However, the composition of gut microbiota in the TRIF(−/−)NOD mice was indistinguishable from WT NOD mice, if they were housed with WT NOD mice. The difference in the gut microbiota in TRIF(−/−)NOD mice, due to cohousing, accorded with the diabetes development in TRIF(−/−)NOD mice. Comparing the gut microbiota in TRIF(−/−) and WT NOD mice, we identified changes in percentage of Sutterella, Rikenella and Turicibacter species. Moreover, bacteria from WT NOD mice induced significantly stronger inflammatory immune responses in vitro compared to those from TRIF(−/−)NOD mice. Further immunological analysis revealed impaired function of dendritic cells and reduced T cell activation and proliferation in TRIF(−/−)NOD mice. Our data show that TRIF-deficiency protects NOD mice from diabetes development through alteration of the gut microbiota and reduced immune cell activation; however, that protection is over-ridden upon exposure to WT NOD bacteria. Therefore exposure to different microbiota can modify disease susceptibility determined by genetic factors related to innate immunity.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body which plays a key role not only in physiological processes such as thermoregulation and the maintenance of the correct water and electrolyte balance, but also forms an effective barrier against microorganisms, protecting the organism against harmful external factors. Moreover, the skin is an important organ involved in immune mechanisms. The skin is a place of drug application to treat various local and systemic diseases. Those drugs are proteins and peptides sensitive to digestion in gastrointestinal tract, or chemical molecules metabolized in the liver. Epicutaneous immunization (EC) is a new therapeutic method used to treat immunological disorders. The phenomenom of immunomodulation has already been exploited to treat allergic diseases and is called allergen specific immunotherapy. The authors describe the current state of knowledge of the immune regulatory mechanisms that allow to use the EC method to treat immunological diseases mediated by Th1, Tc1 or Th2 lymphocytes. The new aspect of this immunotherapy is immunopotentiation that involves components of the innate immune system, working via the TLRs. The first clinical trials give promising outcomes of the use of EC method in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and respiratory allergic diseases.

The newborn infant emerges from an almost sterile environment into a world of bacteria. Bacteria colonize the infant's skin, lungs, and, of most importance, the gut. The process of bacterial colonization is coordinated, and each body niche acquires a unique composition of bacteria. In the gut, most bacteria belong to the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla, while Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria are far less abundant. Some of these bacteria possess strong immunoregulatory properties. Bacterial colonization is essential to skew the newborn's immune response away from the allergy-favoring Type-2 response towards a Type-1 immune response, which is essential for pathogen elimination. Imbalance between Type 1 and Type 2 responses, however, can promote autoimmunity. In addition, the microbiota shapes immune responses in adults. Autoimmune and allergic diseases are commonly associated with an altered composition of resident bacteria, which is known as dysbiosis. Perhaps the most common cause of disruption and alteration of the bacterial colonization of newborns is the use of antibiotics. It is not known whether the dysbiosis precedes or is the consequence of allergic and autoimmune disorders, and whether antibiotics can be a trigger for these disorders, depending on the type of antibiotic used and the maturity of immune system. In this review, we discuss the development of the microbiota in different body niches and their immunomodulatory potential. We evaluate the impact of antibiotics, both in mice and in humans, on microbial communities and how that may impact the development and manifestation of diseases through all stages of life: the prenatal period, childhood, and adulthood.

Background\ud Genetic background influences allergic immune responses to environmental stimuli. Non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice are highly susceptible to environmental stimuli. Little is known about the interaction of autoimmune genetic factors with innate immunity in allergies, especially skin hypersensitivity.\ud \ud Objectives\ud To study the interplay of innate immunity and autoimmune genetic factors in contact hypersensitivity (CHS) by using various innate immunity‐deficient NOD mice.\ud \ud Methods\ud Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2‐deficient, TLR9‐deficient and MyD88‐deficient NOD mice were used to investigate CHS. The cellular mechanism was determined by flow cytometry in vitro and adoptive cell transfer in vivo. To investigate the role of MyD88 in dendritic cells (DCs) in CHS, we also used CD11cMyD88+ MyD88−/− NOD mice, in which MyD88 is expressed only in CD11c+ cells.\ud \ud Results\ud We found that innate immunity negatively regulates CHS, as innate immunity‐deficient NOD mice developed exacerbated CHS accompanied by increased numbers of skin‐migrating CD11c+ DCs expressing higher levels of major histocompatibility complex II and CD80. Moreover, MyD88−/− NOD mice had increased numbers of CD11c+ CD207− CD103+ DCs and activated T effector cells in the skin‐draining lymph nodes. Strikingly, re‐expression of MyD88 in CD11c+ DCs (CD11cMyD88+ MyD88−/− NOD mice) restored hyper‐CHS to a normal level in MyD88−/− NOD mice.\ud Conclusion\ud Our results suggest that the autoimmune‐prone NOD genetic background aggravates CHS regulated by innate immunity, through DCs and T effector cells.

We propose that there is a special B-1a B cell subset ("sB-1a" cells) that mediates linked processes very early after immunization to initiate cutaneous contact sensitivity (CS), delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), and immune resistance to pneumococcal pneumonia. Our published data indicate that in CS and DTH, these initiating processes are required for elicitation of the delayed onset and late-occurring classical T cell-mediated responses. sB-1a cells resemble memory B2 cells, as they are stimulated within 1 h of immunization and depend on T helper cytokines-uniquely IL-4 from hepatic iNKT cells--for activation and rapid migration from the peritoneal cavity to the spleen to secrete IgM antibody (Ab) and Ab-derived free light chains (FLCs) by only 1 day after immunization. Unlike conventional B-1a (cB-1a) cell-produced IgM natural Ab, IgM Ab produced by sB-1a cells has high Ag affinity owing to immunoglobulin V-region mutations induced by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). The dominant cB-1a cells are increased in immunized AID-deficient mice but do not mediate initiation, CS, or pneumonia resistance because natural Ab has relatively low Ag affinity because of unmutated germ-line V regions. In CS and DTH, sB-1a IgM Ag affinity is sufficiently high to mediate complement activation for generation of C5a that, together with vasoactive mediators such as TNF-α released by FLC-sensitized mast cells, activate local endothelium for extravascular recruitment of effector T cells. We conclude by discussing the possibility of functional sB-1 cells in humans.

In the past 50 years, the occurrence of human obesity has risen dramatically across the globe. The WHO reported that at least 1.9 billion (1.9 × 10(9)) adults are overweight and 600 million are obese, and the numbers are expected to rise dramatically in the future without intervention. The recent increase in human obesity is caused by increased energy intake and reduced energy expenditure that results in a massive increase in adipose tissue, which is generally harmful to our health. Indeed, the increase in human obesity is strongly associated with an increase in many diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), biliary disease, cardiovascular disease, hepatic steatosis, airway disease, neurodegeneration and certain cancers. The metabolic and immune systems are closely linked and functionally dependent. As a result, excessive nutrient consumption associated with obesity can be recognized as a harmful, stress-inducing biological event by innate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). This activates inflammatory and stress responses in various metabolic tissues, leading to the chronic low-grade inflammation called metabolic inflammation or "metainflammation". Adipose tissue is mainly composed of adipocytes, although other cell types contribute to its growth and function, including pre-adipocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, fibroblasts and vascular cells. Obesity can result in profound changes in the cell composition of fat tissue and can lead to the modulation of individual cell phenotypes. Many factors are involved in development of metainflammation, including hypoxia of adipocytes, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of inflammasomes, adipocyte death, activation of TLR and abnormal gut flora.

The authors wish to note an incorrectly listed financial support grants. The National Science Centre grants 2011/01/B/NZ6/00300 and 2012/05/B/NZ6/00997 were inadvertently listed. The authors regret this error. The correct Acknowledgements read as follows.

Cyclophosphamide (CY) is one of the most widely used alkylating agents in the treatment of various cancers and some autoimmune diseases. Numerous reports suggest that CY exerts immunoregulatory effects. Animal studies have shown CY affects contact sensitivity (CS) response by depleting CD4Adoptive cell transfer of CS was used to examine immunomodulating properties of peritoneal Mf from CY-treated mice. Isolation of peritoneal Mf from animals that were (Mf-CY) or were not (Mf) treated with CY were cultured to identify cytokine repertoire. Further, we assessed spleen cell (SPLC) cytokine production following immunization with trinitrophenyl-conjugated Mf from donors treated (TNP-Mf-CY) or non-treated (TNP-Mf) with CY.In vitro experiments identified that Mf-CY produce more IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β than naïve Mf. Further, immunization with peritoneal TNP-Mf-CY induces CD4Our results show that in vivo treatment with CY influences mouse peritoneal Mf to induce CD4+ Tcs cells that protect CS-effector cells from suppressive signals of Ts cells.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by progressive destruction of insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells. Both T-cell–mediated adaptive responses as well as innate immune processes are involved in pathogenesis. Interleukin-1 receptor–associated kinase M (IRAK-M) can effectively inhibit the MyD88 downstream signals in Toll-like receptor pathways, while lack of IRAK-M is known to be associated with autoimmunity. Our study showed that IRAK-M–deficient (IRAK-M−/−) nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice displayed early onset and rapid progression of T1DM with impaired glucose tolerance, more severe insulitis, and increased serum anti-insulin autoantibodies. Mechanistic studies showed that the enhanced activation and antigen-presenting function of IRAK-M−/− antigen-presenting cells from IRAK-M−/− mice were responsible for the rapid progression of disease. Moreover, IRAK-M−/− dendritic cells induced enhanced activation of diabetogenic T cells in vitro and the rapid onset of T1DM in vivo in immunodeficient NOD mice when cotransferred with diabetogenic T cells. This study illustrates how the modulation of innate immune pathways through IRAK-M influences the development of autoimmune diabetes.

The inflammation of the reproductive system can affect reproduction causing partial or complete infertility. It is well known that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers an inflammatory response in the whole organism, including immunologically privileged organs, e.g. the testicles. Adult male TCRalpha-/-, TCRdelta-/-, CD1d-/- and beta2m-/- on B10.PL (H-2(u)) and B10.PL control mice were intraperitonealy (i.p.) injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The animals were killed 24h and 10 days post LPS treatment and their gonads were prepared for microscopic examination. Histological changes in the testes after LPS injection were found only in control B10PL and CD1d-/- mice. The experiments revealed disturbances in Leydig's glands structure, blood vessel dilatation in the interstitial tissue as well as degeneration of seminal tubule epithelium, disruption ofspermatogenesis and subsequent decrease of sperm cell number in the tubule lumen. These changes were noticed mainly 10 days after LPS treatment. Lack of either TCRalphabeta+ CD8+ or TCRgammadelta+ lymphocytes diminishes the response of testicular macrophages to LPS whereas the absence of CD1d-dependent NKT cells does not affect macrophage reactivity.

Background Oral enrofloxacin treatment altered the gut microbiome promoting anti-inflammatory bacteria. The dysbiosis promotes regulatory cell induction in the intestines and in the periphery, which suppresses contact sensitivity. Bacterial-derived signals promote regulatory cell induction both directly and indirectly by influencing the phenotype of dendritic cells (DC). Methods Oral treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotic enrofloxacin was used to evaluate how gut flora perturbation shapes the immune response in the gut and the periphery. Results Enrofloxacin-induced dysbiosis creates an anti-inflammatory environment characterized by increased IL-10 concentration in the gut lumen and tissues. The production of IFN-γ and IL-17A did not change. Oral enrofloxacin treatment skewed the profile of the immune response towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype locally in small intestinal Peyer’s Patches (PP) and systematically in the spleen (SPL). Enrofloxacin administration changed immune response in PP by increasing TGF-β secretion from an increased percentage of TGF-β-producing. In the SPL, enrofloxacin treatment increased the secretion of TGF-β and IL-10 and decreased the secretion of IL-17A and IFN-γ. The shift in cytokine profile correlated with a higher percentage of latency-associated peptide and IL-10-producing cells and a decreased percentage of IFN-γ-producing T cells. This anti-inflammatory immune response in the PP and SPL promoted a higher frequency of tolerogenic DC. Conclusion Our data indicate that two-week enrofloxacin treatment induces dysbiosis, skews immune response towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype, and elevates secretion of TGF-β and IL-10 in the intestines and periphery. Additionally, we observed higher frequencies of tolerogenic DC, characterized by CD11b and IL-10 expression, which are known inducers of Treg cells.

Background Medical advances in the field of infection therapy have led to an increasing use of antibiotics, which, apart from eliminating pathogens, also partially eliminate naturally existing commensal bacteria. It has become increasingly clear that less exposure to microbiota early in life may contribute to the observed rise in "immune-mediated" diseases, including autoimmunity and allergy. Objective We sought to test whether the change of gut microbiota with the broad spectrum antibiotic enrofloxacin will modulate contact sensitivity (CS) in mice. Methods Natural gut microbiota were modified by oral treatment with enrofloxacin prior to sensitization with trinitrophenyl chloride followed by CS testing. Finally, adoptive cell transfers were performed to characterize the regulatory cells that are induced by microbiota modification. Results Oral treatment with enrofloxacin suppresses CS and production of anti–trinitrophenyl chloride IgG1 antibodies. Adoptive transfer experiments show that antibiotic administration favors induction of regulatory cells that suppress CS. Flow cytometry and adoptive transfer of purified cells show that antibiotic-induced suppression of CS is mediated by TCR αβ + CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + Treg, CD19 + B220 + CD5 + IL-10 + , IL-10 + Tr1, and IL-10 + TCR γδ + cells. Treatment with the antibiotic induces dysbiosis characterized by increased proportion of Clostridium coccoides (cluster XIVa), C coccoides – Eubacterium rectale (cluster XIVab), Bacteroidetes, and Bifidobacterium spp, but decreased segmented filamentous bacteria. Transfer of antibiotic-modified gut microbiota inhibits CS, but this response can be restored through oral transfer of control gut bacteria to antibiotic-treated animals. Conclusions Oral treatment with a broad spectrum antibiotic modifies gut microbiota composition and promotes anti-inflammatory response, suggesting that manipulation of gut microbiota can be a powerful tool to modulate the course of CS.

The human skin plays an important role in thermal regulation, the maintenance of the correct water and electrolyte balance; it is also the main source of the vitamin D for the organism. Moreover, the skin forms an effective barrier against microorganisms, protecting the organism against xenobiotics and harmful external factors. It must also be mentioned that the skin is an essential organ involved in immunological mechanisms. This article summarizes current knowledge about skin-induced suppression induced via epicutaneous (EC) application of an antigen and is described in both Th1- and Tc1-mediated contact sensitivity (CS) in mice. The skin-induced suppression is also considered in the regulation of experimental models of autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and colitis ulcerosa. Furthermore, the efficacy of treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with EC immunization is discussed. Second part of this review introduces new subject of immunopotentiation induced via EC immunization with an antigen in the presence of various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Finally, the review describes dermal immunization in the therapy of allergic diseases.

Background Subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy is a standard route for the immunotherapy of allergic diseases. It modulates the course of allergy and can generate long-term remission. However, subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy can also induce anaphylaxis in some patients, and therefore additional routes of administration should be investigated to improve the safety and tolerability of immunotherapy. Objective We sought to determine whether epicutaneous treatment with antigen in the presence of a Toll-like receptor 9 agonist can suppress T H 2-mediated responses in an antigen-specific manner. Methods Epicutaneous immunization was performed by applying a skin patch soaked with ovalbumin (OVA) plus CpG, and its suppressor activity was determined by using the mouse model of atopic dermatitis. Finally, adoptive cell transfers were implemented to characterize the regulatory cells that are induced by epicutaneous immunization. Results Epicutaneous immunization with OVA and CpG reduces the production of OVA-specific IgE and increases the synthesis of OVA-specific IgG 2a antibodies in an antigen-specific manner. Moreover, eosinophil peroxidase activity in the skin and production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 are suppressed. The observed reduction of IgE synthesis is transferable with T-cell receptor (TCR) αβ + CD4 + CD25 − cells, whereas IgG 2a production is dependent on both TCRαβ + and TCRγδ + T cells. Further experiments show that the described phenomenon is myeloid differentiation primary response 88, IFN-γ, and IL-17A dependent. Finally, the results suggest that epicutaneous immunization with OVA and CpG decreases the synthesis of OVA-specific IgE and skin eosinophil peroxidase activity in mice with ongoing skin allergy. Conclusion Epicutaneous application of protein antigen in the presence of adjuvant could be an attractive needle-free and self-administered immunotherapy for allergic diseases.

Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with limited treatment modalities. The animal model of colitis induced by treatment with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS-colitis) is commonly used to test new therapies of this disease. In our previous work we found that epicutaneous (EC) immunization with protein antigen induced a state of profound immunosuppression that inhibited inflammatory response in contact sensitivity, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in allogeneic skin graft rejection. Methods TNBS-induced colitis was used as an experimental model. Results In our current work, we showed that EC immunization with TNP-conjugated mouse immunoglobulin (TNP-Ig) prior to induction of TNBS-colitis alleviates disease severity what was determined by the body weight, the length and the weight of the colon, the histological activity index (HAI) and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO). Observed amelioration of the disease in TNP-Ig patched mice was accompanied with decreased production of IFN-γ and IL-17A by splenocytes. Additionally, spleen cells isolated from mice EC immunized with TNP-Ig prior to colitis induction showed increased production of IL-10 suggesting that this cytokine might be involved in inhibiting inflammatory response in the colon. Conclusion This work shows that EC immunization with protein antigen prior to TNBS-colitis induction ameliorates disease and observed suppression of inflammatory response in the colon might be mediated by IL-10.

Natural killer T cells with invariant αβ-T cell receptors (TCRs) (iNKT cells) constitute a lipid-responsive arm of the innate immune system that has been implicated in the regulation or promotion of various immune, infectious and neoplastic processes. Contact sensitivity (CS), also known as contact hypersensitivity or allergic contact dermatitis, is one such immune process that begins with topical sensitization to an allergen and culminates in a localized cutaneous inflammatory response after challenge with the same allergen. CS depends on events initiated early in sensitization by hepatic iNKT cells. We have shown previously that these iNKT cells release IL-4 early after skin sensitization to activate B-1 B cells to produce IgM antibodies that aid in local recruitment of the effector T cells. Here, we utilize adoptive transfer techniques in several strains of knockout mice to demonstrate that hepatic lipids isolated 30 min after sensitization are significantly more stimulatory to naive hepatic iNKT cells than hepatic lipids isolated after sham sensitization. These stimulatory hepatic lipids specifically affect iNKT cells and not B-1 B cells. The downstream CS response is abrogated with anti-CD1d-blocking antibodies, suggesting a critical role of CD1d in the activation of hepatic iNKT cells with these lipids. Hepatocytes may not be essential, as donor hepatic iNKT cells can reconstitute CS without migrating to the recipient mouse liver. Rather, CD1d-expressing liver mononuclear cells are sufficient for activation of iNKT cells. In conclusion, stimulatory lipids accumulate in the liver soon after sensitization and facilitate iNKT cell activation in a CD1d-dependent yet potentially hepatocyte-independent manner.

Prior studies of classical 24 h responses in TNP-Cl (picryl chloride) allergic contact sensitivity (CS), showed mediation by Th1 cells in CBA mice, and established that 24 h elicitation of responses requires an early 2 h CS-initiating component dependent on iNKT cells, IL-4 and B-1 B cells. Here, we studied the other form of cytotoxic T cell (Tc1) CS in DNFB sensitized BALB/c mice and determined that similar CS-initiation also is required. We systematically tested each step of the initiation pathway in this model. Thus, DNFB Tc1 CS was significantly impaired in iNKT cell deficient CD1d(-/-) and Jα18(-/-) mice, IL4Rα(-/-) and STAT-6(-/-) mice, and also in pan B-cell deficient JH(-/-) mice. Further, the Tc1 DNFB CS-initiating component, like Th1 response to TNP-Cl, was elicited by only 1-day after immunization, due to B-1 cells. In summary, we show that CS-Initiation also is required in Tc1 CS. Further, we have newly determined regulatory support of both the early and late components of DNFB induced Tc1 CS by iNKT cells and γδ-T cells. In summary, both iNKT cells and assisting γδ-T cells are involved in initiating and effector phases of DNFB induced CS.

Background: We have shown previously, in an animal model of multiple sclerosis and in TNBS-induced colitis, that epicutaneous (EC) immunization with protein antigen induces T suppressor cells that strongly inhibit the inflammatory response in contact hypersensitivity reactions. Methods: EC immunization was performed by applying to the shaved skin of the mouse dorsum a gauze patch soaked with a solution containing various amounts of type II collagen (COLL II) in a volume of 100 µl of PBS on days 0 and 4. On day 7 the patches were removed and mice were intradermally (i.d.) immunized with COLL II to induce collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Results: Our study shows that EC immunization with 100 or 30 μg of COLL II reduces disease severity, whereas lower doses (10 or 3 μg) do not affect CIA. Decreased disease severity observed after EC immunization with COLL II correlates with reduced myeloperoxidase activity in joint tissue and with reduced production of anti-citrullinated protein and anti-COLL II IgG2a antibodies. Transfer experiments show that EC immunization with COLL II induces suppressor cells that belong to the population of TCRαβ lymphocytes and that EC-induced suppression declines with time. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments show that IL-17A plays an important role in EC-induced suppression of CIA. EC application of COLL II at the first signs of CIA also results in disease suppression. Conclusions: The suppression of inflammatory responses by T suppressor cells induced through EC immunization of a protein antigen may become an attractive noninvasive therapeutic method for a variety of clinical situations.

The authors wish to note an incorrectly listed financial support grant. The National Science Centre grant UMO-2011/01/B/NZ6/00300 was inadvertently listed. The authors regret this error. The correct Acknowledgements read as follows.

The inflammation of the reproductive system can affect reproduction causing partial or complete infertility. It is well known that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers an inflammatory response in the whole organism, including immunologically privileged organs, e.g. the testicles. Adult male TCRalpha-/-, TCRdelta-/-, CD1d-/- and beta2m-/- on B10.PL (H-2(u)) and B10.PL control mice were intraperitonealy (i.p.) injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The animals were killed 24h and 10 days post LPS treatment and their gonads were prepared for microscopic examination. Histological changes in the testes after LPS injection were found only in control B10PL and CD1d-/- mice. The experiments revealed disturbances in Leydig's glands structure, blood vessel dilatation in the interstitial tissue as well as degeneration of seminal tubule epithelium, disruption ofspermatogenesis and subsequent decrease of sperm cell number in the tubule lumen. These changes were noticed mainly 10 days after LPS treatment. Lack of either TCRalphabeta+ CD8+ or TCRgammadelta+ lymphocytes diminishes the response of testicular macrophages to LPS whereas the absence of CD1d-dependent NKT cells does not affect macrophage reactivity.

Background Epicutaneous (EC) immunization is a potential new strategy of a needle-free and self-administrable immunization by using a topically applied patch to deliver vaccine. We have previously shown that EC immunization with various protein antigens inhibits both Th1- and Tc1-mediated contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in mice. Our further work showed that maneuver of EC immunization with an antigen and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands prior to hapten sensitization reverses skin-induced suppression. Methods Animal model of pneumococcal pneumonia was used to study efficacy of EC induced immunopotentiation. Results Current work showed that EC immunization with phosphorylcholine conjugated to bovine serum albumin (PC-BSA) and CpG prior to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection results in smaller decrease of body weight when compared to PBS treated mice. Consistent with the behavioral observations and body weight, smaller numbers of bacteria were quantitated in lung homogenates of mice patched with PC-BSA and CpG prior inoculation with S. pneumonia when compared to mice patched with PBS alone. In vitro experiments showed that lymph node cells and spleen cells from mice EC immunized with PC-BSA plus CpG produced high levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A when compared to PBS or PC-BSA or CpG treated mice. Conclusion This work shows that EC immunization with PC-BSA plus TLR9 ligand CpG may be a potential tool to boost immunity to S. pneumoniae .

Background: Our previous work showed that epicutaneous (EC) immunization with protein antigen e.g. TNP-conjugated mouse immunoglobulin (TNP-Ig) in the form of a patch prior to hapten sensitization inhibits Th1-mediated contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in mice. We also found that suppression of CHS was mediated by TCRαβ+ CD4+ CD8+ T suppressor cells producing TGF-β. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of innate immunity in the suppression of CHS. Methods: Mice were immunized by applying gauze patches containing protein antigen alone or in the presence of zymosan, and were then tested for the CHS response. Adoptive cell transfer experiments were used to study the mechanisms involved in the reversal of skin-induced suppression. The influence of EC immunization on cytokine production by lymph node cells was measured by ELISA. Results: We found that EC immunization with TNP-Ig and zymosan before trinitrophenyl chloride sensitization reverses skin-induced suppression, demonstrated in vivo and in vitro. The reversal of skin-induced suppression was transferable by antigen-specific TCRαβ+ CD4+ T contrasuppressor cells. Furthermore, we showed that the contrasuppression was IL-17A-dependent and TLR2- and MyD88-independent. Conclusions: Our work strongly suggests that EC immunization with protein antigen and zymosan reverses skin-induced suppression and that this approach may be a potential tool to increase the immunogenicity of weakly immunogenic antigens.

Background Epicutaneous (EC) immunization offers a new method of a needle-free and self-administrable immunization by using a topically applied patch to deliver vaccine. We have previously shown that EC immunization with hapten-conjugated protein antigen TNP-Ig prior to hapten sensitization inhibits Th1-mediated contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in mice. Our further work showed that EC immunization with TNP-Ig and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands prior to hapten sensitization reverses skin-induced suppression. Methods Animal model of contact hypersensitivity was used to study reversal of skin-induced suppression. Results Current work showed that EC immunization with protein antigen TNP-Ig and MDP NOD2 agonist – muramyldipeptide (L isoform) reverses skin-induced suppression of CHS. On the other hand L18-MDP NOD2 agonist – muramyldipeptide with a C18 fatty acid chain and MDP control – negative control for MDP – muramyldipeptide (D isoform, inactive) did not reverse skin-induced suppression. “Transfer in” experiment showed that reversal of skin-induced suppression can be adoptively transferred with lymphoid cells isolated from donors EC treated with TNP-Ig and MDP NOD2 agonist. Moreover, experiment employing two non-cross-reacting antigens TNP-Ig and OX-Ig proved that reversal of skin-induced suppression is antigen specific. Additionally, lymph node cells isolated from mice EC immunized with TNP-Ig and MDP NOD2 agonist produced increased level of IFN-γ suggesting that this cytokine might be involved in reversal of skin-induced suppression. Conclusion This work shows that EC immunization with protein antigen plus NOD2 ligand MDP may be a potential tool to increase the immunogenicity of weekly immunogenic antigens.

The gammadeltaT cells were identified as positive as well as negative regulators of immune responses. They take part in pathogen clearance, modulation of innate and adaptive immunity as well as in healing and tissue maintenance. The course of many pathological conditions such as collagen induced arthritis (CIA), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and airway hyperresponsiveness is positively regulated by gammadeltaT cells. It was shown previously that contact sensitivity (CS), an example of antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response, is also positively regulated by gammadeltaT cells. The current work confirmed the regulatory function of gammadeltaT cells in CS response as their depletion with anti-TCRdelta monoclonal antibody and complement significantly decreased adoptive transfer of the CS reaction. In vitro study showed that removal of gammadeltaT cells with magnetic beads significantly decreased the production of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-12 and TNF-alpha. Reconstitution of gammadeltaT-depleted cells with gammadeltaT-enriched cells restored cytokine production, proving the reversibility of the investigated process. In summary, gammadeltaT cells positively regulate the CS reaction via modulation of proinflammatory cytokine production.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects about 1% of the adult population and occurs twice as frequently among women than men. At present it is accepted that pathogenesis of RA is based on inflammatory response mediated by CD4(+) Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes. The most commonly applied model imitating RA is the collagen induced arthritis (CIA). A growing evidence shows that there is a correlation between microbial dysbiosis and human pathology which includes autoimmunity, allergic diseases, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic syndrome.Collagen induced arthritis was used to study influence of natural gut flora on course of rheumatoid arthritis.Current work employing CIA model showed that partial depletion of natural gut flora with orally administered antibiotic Baytril (enrofloxacin) aggravates disease severity when compared to control mice. Observed partial depletion of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria did not affect animal body weight. Additionally, in vitro study showed increased production of IFN-? and IL-17A and decreased release of IL-4 by axillary lymph node cells (ALNC) isolated from mice treated with antibiotic and induced CIA when compared to positive control. Furthermore, treatment with antibiotic prior to CIA induction results in augmented production of IFN-?, IL-17A and IL-6 by mesenteric lymph node cells (MLNC).Presented data suggest that alteration of gut microbiota via use of enrofloxacin may play a role in modulating arthritis symptom severity in this mouse model.

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is an experimental model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) that can be studied in mice. For CHS responses, mice are immunized by painting with a reactive hapten, such as 1-fluoro-4,6-dinitrobenzene (DNFB), on the shaved abdominal and chest skin. Subsequently, the ears are challenged with diluted hapten, eliciting 'hypersensitive' ear-swelling reactions, which can be measured with a micrometer. In this manuscript we present complementary methods that can be used to evaluate CHS in mice that include: ear weight, vascular permeability, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, IFN-γ concentration in ear extracts and also IFN-γ production by auricular lymph node cells (ELNC). The biochemical evaluation of CHS can be also supported by proliferation assay, measurement of IFN-γ production by skin-draining lymph node cells employing ELISA test and by evaluation of IFN-γ(+) TCRαβ CD8 cells with the use of flow cytometry.

Natural killer (NK) cell-mediated contact sensitivity was recently described in mice. Here, we confirm NK cell-mediated contact sensitivity (CS) in SCID and RAG1(-/-) mice but not in SCIDbeige mice, which have non-functional NK cells that lack NK cell granules. NK cell-mediated CS was transferred by liver mononuclear cells and the DX5(+) fraction of liver cells, confirming that NK cells mediate CS in the absence of T and B cells. Participation of NKT cells and B-1 cells was ruled out using Jα18(-/-) and JH(-/-) mice, respectively. Remarkably, NK cell-mediated CS was observed just 1 hr after immunization and was detectable as early as 30 min after challenge. Further, we examined cytokine requirements for NK cell-mediated CS, and found that liver mononuclear cells from interleukin-12(-/-) , interferon-γ(-/-) and interferon-α receptor(-/-) donors fail to transfer NK cell-mediated CS to naive hosts. Our studies clearly show that dinitrofluorobenzene sensitized NK cells mediate very rapid, antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity, with features of both innate and acquired immune responses.

The gammadeltaT cells were identified as positive as well as negative regulators of immune responses. They take part in pathogen clearance, modulation of innate and adaptive immunity as well as in healing and tissue maintenance. The course of many pathological conditions such as collagen induced arthritis (CIA), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and airway hyperresponsiveness is positively regulated by gammadeltaT cells. It was shown previously that contact sensitivity (CS), an example of antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response, is also positively regulated by gammadeltaT cells. The current work confirmed the regulatory function of gammadeltaT cells in CS response as their depletion with anti-TCRdelta monoclonal antibody and complement significantly decreased adoptive transfer of the CS reaction. In vitro study showed that removal of gammadeltaT cells with magnetic beads significantly decreased the production of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-12 and TNF-alpha. Reconstitution of gammadeltaT-depleted cells with gammadeltaT-enriched cells restored cytokine production, proving the reversibility of the investigated process. In summary, gammadeltaT cells positively regulate the CS reaction via modulation of proinflammatory cytokine production.

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) induced by a topical application of hapten - 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), is a T cytotoxic (Tc)1-cell-mediated antigen-specific type of skin inflammation. Recently, it has been shown that antidepressant drugs inhibit the T helper (Th)1-mediated CHS reaction induced by picryl chloride. The aim of present study was to establish the effect of two-week desipramine or fluoxetine administration on the CHS reaction induced by DNFB.Balb/c (H-2(d)) male mice were divided into six groups: 1) vehicle-treated negative control group; 2) desipramine-treated negative control group; 3) fluoxetine-treated negative control group; 4) vehicle-treated DNFB group (positive control group); 5) desipramine-treated DNFB group; 6) fluoxetine-treated DNFB group. T lymphocytes proliferation was determined by incorporation of [(3)H]-thymidine to DNA of concanavalin A stimulated cells. ELISA test was used for estimation of cytokines production.The antidepressants significantly suppressed the CHS reaction mediated by Tc1 cells: desipramine by 55% and fluoxetine by 54% compared to the positive control. Moreover, the antidepressants decreased the proliferative activity of splenocytes and the ability of splenocytes to produce interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon (IFN)-γ and increased IL-10 production by the lymph node (LN) cells of DNFB-treated mice.The results of the present study show that the Tc1-dependent reactivity to DNFB is significantly suppressed by antidepressant drugs, which suggests their inhibitory effect on Tc1 mediated immunity.

Background Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) resulting from exposure to low molecular weight chemicals is a common clinical condition in industrialized countries and can be mediated by either Th1 or Tc1 lymphocytes. The animal model of contact sensitivity (CS) is commonly used to study ACD in mice and helps to test new therapeutics. We have previously shown that epicutaneous (EC) immunization with TNP-Ig prior to hapten sensitization inhibits Th1 -mediated CS and observed that the suppression is mediated by TCRαβ + CD4 + CD8 + cells and is TGF-β dependent. More recently we have shown that EC immunization with DNP-BSA induces TCRαβ + CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + T regulatory (Treg) cells that suppress Tc1-mediated CS. Methods Animal model of contact sensitivity was used to study skin-induced suppression. Results Current work employing Tc1-mediated CS shows that skin-induced suppression is dose-dependent and declines with time. Experiments with the four non-cross-reacting antigens 2,4-dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA), ovalbumin (OVA), myelin basic protein (MBP) and immunoglobulins conjugated with oxazolone (OX-Ig) employing models of active suppression, “transfer in” and “transfer out” protocols showed that EC immunization with any tested protein antigen inhibits CS response suggesting lack of antigen-specificity of the investigated phenomenon. Conclusions The ease of EC generation of antigen-non-specific regulatory cells may have important implications for designing therapeutic schemes aimed at modulating immune responses.

As we have shown previously that protein antigen applied epicutaneously (EC) in mice inhibits TNP-specific Th1-mediated contact sensitivity (CS), we postulated that the maneuver of EC immunization might also suppress Tc1-dependent CS response. Here we showed that EC immunization of normal mice with 2,4-dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA) applied on the skin in the form of a patch induces a state of subsequent unresponsiveness due to regulatory T cells (Treg) that inhibited sensitization and elicitation of effector T-cell responses. Suppression is transferable in vivo by TCRαβ(+) CD4(+) CD25(+) lymphocytes harvested from lymph nodes (LNs) of skin-patched animals. Flow cytometry revealed that EC immunization with DNP-BSA increased TCRαβ(+) CD4(+) CD25(+) FoxP3(+) lymphocytes in subcutaneous LNs, suggesting that observed suppression was mediated by Treg cells. Further, in vitro experiments showed that EC immunization with DNP-BSA prior to 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzen sensitization suppressed LN cell proliferation and inhibited production of TNF-α, IL-12 and IFN-γ. Using a transwell system or anti-CTLA-4 mAb, we found that EC induced suppression required direct Treg-effector cell contact and is CTLA-4-dependent.

Contact hypersensitivity (CS) reaction in the skin is T-cell mediated immune reaction which plays a major role in the pathogenesis and chronicity of various inflammatory skin disorders and, like other delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, affords immunity against tumor cells and microbes. CS response is a self-limiting reaction, and interleukin (IL)-10 is considered to be a natural suppressant of cutaneous inflammatory response. Recently, it has been demonstrated that major depression is related to activation of the inflammatory response and elevation of some parameters of cell-mediated immunity. It has been suggested that such activation of the immune system may play a role in etiology of depression. If this immunoactivation is involved in etiology of depression, one would expect that antidepressant agents may have negative immunoregulatory effects. To the best of our knowledge, the effect of antidepressants on contact hypersensitivity has not been studied.The aim of the present study was to establish the effect of prolonged desipramine or fluoxetine treatment on CS reaction to picryl chloride.Antidepressants significantly suppressed CS reaction, fluoxetine by 53% whereas desipramine by 47% compared to positive control. Moreover, desipramine and fluoxetine decreased relative weight of auxillary lymph nodes. Desipramine decreased also relative weight of inguinal lymph nodes and spleens whereas desipramine and fluoxetine increased production of IL-10 in comparison to positive control.The observed effect of antidepressant drugs on CS reaction is consistent with the hypothesis that T-cell mediated immunity is targeted by antidepressants.