Local amplifiers of IL-4R{alpha}-mediated macrophage activation promote repair in lung and liver

The type 2 immune response controls helminth infection and maintains tissue homeostasis but can lead to allergy and fibrosis if not adequately regulated. We have discovered local tissue-specific amplifiers of type 2–mediated macrophage activation. In the lung, surfactant protein A (SP-A) enhanced interleukin-4 (IL-4)–dependent macrophage proliferation and activation, accelerating parasite clearance and reducing pulmonary injury after infection with a lung-migrating helminth. In the peritoneal cavity and liver, C1q enhancement of type 2 macrophage activation was required for liver repair after bacterial infection, but resulted in fibrosis after peritoneal dialysis. IL-4 drives production of these structurally related defense collagens, SP-A and C1q, and the expression of their receptor, myosin 18A. These findings reveal the existence within different tissues of an amplification system needed for local type 2 responses.

Source: ScienceNOW - June 8, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Minutti, C. M., Jackson-Jones, L. H., Garcia-Fojeda, B., Knipper, J. A., Sutherland, T. E., Logan, N., Rinqvist, E., Guillamat-Prats, R., Ferenbach, D. A., Artigas, A., Stamme, C., Chroneos, Z. C., Zaiss, D. M., Casals, C., Allen, J. E. Tags: Immunology reports Source Type: news