Differential Expression of Th2 Chemokine Receptors on T Cells from Atopic and Nonatopic Asthmatics in Response to Der p 1-Pulsed Dendritic Cells
Kittipong Maneechotesuwan MD, PhD*, Adisak Wongkajornsilp MD, PhD**, Sukit Huabprasert MSc**, Kanda Kasetsinsombat MSc** , Tasneeya Suthumansami MSc*
Affiliation : *Division of Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis, Department of Medicine Mahidol University Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand **Department of Pharmacology, Mahidol University Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : In vitro polarized human Th2 cells preferentially express the chemokine receptors CCR3 and
CCR4 and migrate to their ligands: eotaxin, monocyte-derived chemokine (MDC) or CCL22, thymus- and
activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) or CCL17. However, little is known about the regulation of these
chemokine receptor axes by Der p 1-pulsed dendritic cells in house dust mite (HDM)-sensitive and non-atopic
asthmatics.
Objective : The aim was to investigate the modulatory effects of Der p 1-pulsed DCs on the expression of CCR3
and CCR4 on CD4+ T cells of HDM-sensitive and non-atopic asthmatics.
Material and Method: Using real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis, the expression of CCR3 and
CCR4 were assessed in autologous CD4+ T cells after co-incubation with Der p 1-pulsed DCs from these two
asthmatic groups. We also determined the mRNA expression of CCR4 ligands TARC/CCL17 and MDC/CCL22
in monocyte-derived DCs after Der p 1 pulsation.
Results : We performed flow cytometry analysis of CD4+ T cells from HDM-sensitive and non-atopic asthmatics,
taken 24 and 48 h after co-incubation with Der p 1-pulsed DCs. We demonstrated that after co-incubation,
there was a significant increase in CCR3+ and CCR4+ CD4+ T cells from HDM-sensitive asthmatics, which
began to occur at 24 h and 48 h respectively, and corresponded to their expression at mRNA levels. In contrast,
only CCR4 mRNA but not protein expression was increased in non-atopic CD4+ T cells. After Der p 1 pulsa-
tion, mRNA expression of CCR4-specific ligands (CCL17 and CCL22) was also markedly upregulated in
HDM-sensitive DCs whereas only CCL17 gene expression was increased in non-atopic DCs.
Conclusion : These data support the role of DCs in differential regulation of CCR3 and CCR4 on CD4+ T cells
from HDM-sensitive and non-atopic asthmatics after Der p 1 exposure.
Keywords : Der p 1, Dendritic cells, Th2 chemokine receptors, Asthma
