Experimental asthma persists in IL-33 receptor knockout mice because of the emergence of thymic stromal lymphopoietin-driven IL-9 and IL-13 type 2 innate lymphoid cell subpopulations.

Background: IL-33 plays an important role in the development of experimental asthma.

Objective: We sought to study the role of the IL-33 receptor suppressor of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) in the persistence of asthma in a mouse model.

Methods: We studied allergen-induced experimental asthma in ST2 knockout (KO) and wild-type control mice. We measured airway hyperresponsiveness by using flexiVent; inflammatory indices by using ELISA, histology, and real-time PCR; and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in lung single-cell preparations by using flow cytometry.

Results: Airway hyperresponsiveness was increased in allergen-treated ST2 KO mice and comparable with that in allergen-treated wild-type control mice. Peribronchial and perivascular inflammation and mucus production were largely similar in both groups. Persistence of experimental asthma in ST2 KO mice was associated with an increase in levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), IL-9, and IL-13, but not IL-5, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Expectedly, ST2 deletion caused a reduction in IL-13 CD4 T cells, forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T cells, and IL-5 ILC2s. Unexpectedly, ST2 deletion led to an overall increase in innate lymphoid cells (CD45linCD25 cells) and IL-13 ILC2s, emergence of a TSLP receptor-positive IL-9 ILC2 population, and an increase in intraepithelial mast cell numbers in the lung. An anti-TSLP antibody abrogated airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and mucus production in allergen-treated ST2 KO mice. It also caused a reduction in innate lymphoid cell, ILC2, and IL-9 and IL-13 ILC2 numbers in the lung.

Conclusions: Genetic deletion of the IL-33 receptor paradoxically increases TSLP production, which stimulates the emergence of IL-9 and IL-13 ILC2s and mast cells and leads to development of chronic experimental asthma. An anti-TSLP antibody abrogates all pathologic features of asthma in this model.