β-glucan curdlan induces IL-10-producing CD4+ T cells and inhibits allergic airway inflammation

J Immunol. 2012 Dec 15;189(12):5713-21. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201521. Epub 2012 Nov 7.

Abstract

A number of studies have suggested a correlation between a decreased incidence in infectious diseases and an increased incidence of allergic diseases, including asthma. Although several pathogen-derived products have been shown to possess therapeutic potential for allergic diseases, it remains largely unknown whether β-glucan, a cell wall component of a variety of fungi, yeasts, and bacteria, has a regulatory potential for allergic diseases. In this study, we examined the effect of curdlan, a linear β-(1-3)-glucan, on the development of allergic airway inflammation. We found that i.p. injection of curdlan significantly inhibited Ag-induced eosinophil recruitment and Th2 cytokine production in the airways. The activation of CD4(+) T cells in the presence of curdlan induced IL-10-producing CD4(+) T cells with high levels of c-Maf expression. Curdlan-induced development of IL-10-producing CD4(+) T cells required the presence of APCs and ICOS/ICOS ligand interaction. Curdlan-induced development of IL-10-producing CD4(+) T cells also required intrinsic expression of STAT6. Furthermore, the transfer of Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells that were stimulated in the presence of curdlan inhibited Ag-induced eosinophil recruitment into the airways. Taken together, these results suggest that curdlan is capable of inducing IL-10-producing CD4(+) T cells and inhibiting the development of eosinohilic airway inflammation, underscoring the therapeutic potential of curdlan for allergic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / chemically induced
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / pathology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / prevention & control*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Eosinophilia / prevention & control
  • Inflammation Mediators / administration & dosage*
  • Inflammation Mediators / therapeutic use
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-10 / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / prevention & control*
  • beta-Glucans / administration & dosage*
  • beta-Glucans / therapeutic use

Substances

  • IL10 protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • beta-Glucans
  • Interleukin-10
  • curdlan