Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Promotes Lung Inflammation Through Activation of Dendritic Cells

Asthma is an epithelial disorder in which T helper 2 (Th2)-type inflammation has a prominent role. Recent studies indicated that a cytokine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), is essential for the development of antigen-induced asthma. The authors used ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge to induce a murine asthmatic model. The model was confirmed by airway hyperresponsiveness, serum levels of total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin (IgE), histological analysis of lung tissues. The authors found that expression of TSLP was significantly increased in both mRNA and protein levels in mice lungs treated with OVA. The expression of CD40, CD80, and CD86 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was increased in mice with OVA. Tight correlation between TSLP mRNA and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF was identified. Furthermore, treating mice with TSLP-neutralizing antibody reduced the expression of TSLP mRNA of lungs, CD40, CD80, and CD86 on dendritic cells, and IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the OVA gro...