Shifted T-cell polarisation after agricultural dust exposure in mice and men. Issue 7 (17th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robbe, P; Spierenburg, EAJ; Draijer, C; Brandsma, CA; Telenga, E; van Oosterhout, AJM; van den Berge, M; Luinge, M; Melgert, BN; Heederik, D; Timens, W; Wouters, IM; Hylkema, MN
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 69:Issue 7(2014)
• Page Start: 630
• Page End: 637
• Publication Date: 2014-02-17
• Subjects: Occupational Lung Disease -- Asthma -- Allergic lung disease; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : Rationale: A low prevalence of asthma and atopy has been shown in farmers and agricultural workers. However, in these workers, a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms has been reported, in which T helper 1 (Th1) and/or Th17 responses may play a role. Aim: We investigated the effect of exposure to dust extracts (DEs) from different farms on airway inflammation and T-cell polarisation in a mouse model and assessed T-cell polarisation in agricultural workers from the same farms. Methods: DEs were prepared from settled dust collected at cattle and pig farms and bulb and onion industries. Mice were exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), DEs, house dust mite (HDM) or HDM+DE via nasal instillation, four times per week during 5 weeks. Hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, IgE levels and T-cell polarisation were assessed. Th-cell and T cytotoxic (Tc)-cell subsets were investigated in peripheral blood samples from 33 agricultural workers and 9 non-exposed controls. Results: DEs induced interleukin(IL)-17, IL-1β and IL-6 in mouse lung homogenates. DE-exposed mice had more mixed inflammatory infiltrates in the lungs, and more neutrophils compared with PBS-exposed mice. DEs protected against the HDM-induced Th2 response and methacholine hyperresponsiveness. Interestingly, occupationally exposed humans had higher frequencies of Th cells spontaneously expressing IL-17 and interferon γ compared with controls. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to different types of farm dust induces a Th/Tc-17 inflammatory response in mice and agricultural workers. This may contribute to the low prevalence of Th2-related diseases but may constitute a risk for other chronic respiratory diseases.