Deletion of the ST2 proximal promoter disrupts fibroblast-specific expression but does not reduce the amount of soluble ST2 in circulation.

IL-33 signals through ST2, which is expressed either as a full-length signaling receptor or a truncated soluble receptor that can suppress IL-33 activity. Previous data suggest that soluble ST2 mRNA in fibroblasts is coupled to a serum-inducible proximal promoter, while full-length ST2 expression in immune cells is directed from a distal promoter. In order to better understand the function of the alternative promoters and how they ultimately affect the regulation of IL-33, we generated a mouse in which the ST2 proximal promoter is deleted.

Identification of functional roles for both IL-17RB and IL-17RA in mediating IL-25-induced activities.

IL-25 (IL-17E) is a unique IL-17 family ligand that promotes Th2-skewed inflammatory responses. Intranasal administration of IL-25 into naive mice induces pulmonary inflammation similar to that seen in patients with allergic asthma, including increases in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophils, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid IL-5 and IL-13 concentrations, goblet cell hyperplasia, and increased airway hyperresponsiveness. IL-25 has been reported to bind and signal through IL-17RB (IL-17BR, IL-17Rh1).

Paradoxical role of programmed death-1 ligand 2 in Th2 immune responses in vitro and in a mouse asthma model in vivo.

Programmed death-1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) is a ligand for programmed death-1 (PD-1), a receptor that plays an inhibitory role in T cell activation. Since previous studies have shown up-regulation of PD-L2 expression by Th2 cytokines, and asthma is driven by a Th2 response, we hypothesized that PD-L2 might be involved in regulation of the immune response in this disease. We have found that lungs from asthmatic mice had sustained up-regulation of PD-1 and PD-L2, with PD-L2 primarily on dendritic cells.