Complement-mediated regulation of the IL-17A axis is a central genetic determinant of the severity of experimental allergic asthma

Nat Immunol. 2010 Oct;11(10):928-35. doi: 10.1038/ni.1926. Epub 2010 Aug 29.

Abstract

Severe asthma is associated with the production of interleukin 17A (IL-17A). The exact role of IL-17A in severe asthma and the factors that drive its production are unknown. Here we demonstrate that IL-17A mediated severe airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in susceptible strains of mice by enhancing IL-13-driven responses. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that IL-17A and AHR were regulated by allergen-driven production of anaphylatoxins, as mouse strains deficient in complement factor 5 (C5) or the complement receptor C5aR mounted robust IL-17A responses, whereas mice deficient in C3aR had fewer IL-17-producing helper T cells (T(H)17 cells) and less AHR after allergen challenge. The opposing effects of C3a and C5a were mediated through their reciprocal regulation of IL-23 production. These data demonstrate a critical role for complement-mediated regulation of the IL-23-T(H)17 axis in severe asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / adverse effects
  • Anaphylatoxins / biosynthesis
  • Animals
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Complement Activation
  • Complement C3a / genetics
  • Complement C3a / immunology*
  • Complement C5a / genetics
  • Complement C5a / immunology*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Interleukin-13 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-23 / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred AKR
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pyroglyphidae / immunology
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / genetics
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Anaphylatoxins
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-23
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a
  • Complement C3a
  • Complement C5a