Targeting Type-2 mucoinflammatory axis during the resolution of allergic lung inflammation

Project Summary
Allergic asthma results in predominantly type-2 (Th2) mucoinflammatory responses including granulocytic
inflammation and respiratory epithelial remodeling. These features are also consistently observed in the
respiratory tract of rodents exposed repetitively to ozone. Therefore, the ozone-predominated air pollution during
the resolution phase of allergic asthma may interfere with the restoration of structure and function in the allergic
nasal and pulmonary airspaces. Currently, the molecular and cellular level understanding of the pathogenesis and
resolution of either ozone- or allergens-induced Th2 mucoinflammatory respiratory responses has significant
knowledge gaps. Therefore, detailed studies addressing these knowledge gaps are essential in promoting our
understanding of the interference between ozone pollution and the resolution of allergic inflammation in asthma.
Our central hypothesis is that IL-33 regulates the pathogenesis of Th2 inflammation in a cell lineage-specific
manner and that targeting of IL-33-ST2 axis will mitigate active inflammation and promote the resolution of
mucoinflammatory respiratory disease. The overall objective of this proposal is to test the benefit of inhibition of
IL33-ST2 signaling during the pathogenesis and resolution of ozone- and allergens-induced respiratory (nasal and
lung) inflammation. In aim 1, we will employ cross-genotype bone marrow chimera approach to elucidate the
autocrine versus paracrine IL-33 signaling between hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and non-HPCs during
active ozone/allergens-induced respiratory inflammation. In aim 2, we will test our hypothesis that ozone-exposure
disrupts the resolution kinetics of allergens-induced respiratory inflammation. In aim 3, we will test the hypothesis
that the genetic and pharmacological inhibition of IL-33-ST2 axis neutralizes ozone-mediated disruption in the
resolution of allergens-induced respiratory inflammation. The findings from our studies will enhance our
mechanistic understanding of the cell lineage- and signaling direction-specific role of the upstream master
regulator of ozone/allergens-induced respiratory inflammation. Impact of ozone on the resolution kinetics of
allergic inflammation and the potential for the genetic and pharmacological expedition of ozone-disrupted
resolution of allergic airway inflammation will have translational impact. Eventually, these findings may be applied
towards the development of anti-inflammation and pro-resolution therapeutics against air-pollution induced Th2
inflammatory diseases.