The very low density lipoprotein receptor attenuates house dust mite-induced airway inflammation by suppressing dendritic cell-mediated adaptive immune responses

J Immunol. 2014 May 15;192(10):4497-509. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301234. Epub 2014 Apr 14.

Abstract

The very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family that binds multiple ligands and plays a key role in brain development. Although the VLDLR mediates pleiotropic biological processes, only a limited amount of information is available regarding its role in adaptive immunity. In this study, we identify an important role for the VLDLR in attenuating house dust mite (HDM)-induced airway inflammation in experimental murine asthma. We show that HDM-challenged Vldlr(-/-) mice have augmented eosinophilic and lymphocytic airway inflammation with increases in Th2 cytokines, C-C chemokines, IgE production, and mucous cell metaplasia. A genome-wide analysis of the lung transcriptome identified that mRNA levels of CD209e (DC-SIGNR4), a murine homolog of DC-SIGN, were increased in the lungs of HDM-challenged Vldlr(-/-) mice, which suggested that the VLDLR might modify dendritic cell (DC) function. Consistent with this, VLDLR expression by human monocyte-derived DCs was increased by HDM stimulation. In addition, 55% of peripheral blood CD11c(+) DCs from individuals with allergy expressed VLDLR under basal conditions. Lastly, the adoptive transfer of HDM-pulsed, CD11c(+) bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) from Vldlr(-/-) mice to the airways of wild type recipient mice induced augmented eosinophilic and lymphocytic airway inflammation upon HDM challenge with increases in Th2 cytokines, C-C chemokines, IgE production, and mucous cell metaplasia, as compared with the adoptive transfer of HDM-pulsed, CD11c(+) BMDCs from wild type mice. Collectively, these results identify a novel role for the VLDLR as a negative regulator of DC-mediated adaptive immune responses in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity*
  • Animals
  • CD11c Antigen / genetics
  • CD11c Antigen / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Eosinophils / immunology
  • Eosinophils / pathology
  • Female
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pyroglyphidae*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Receptors, LDL / immunology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • CD11c Antigen
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cytokines
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, LDL
  • VLDL receptor
  • Immunoglobulin E

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE55247