International archives of allergy and immunology
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Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. · Jan 2012
Allergic airway inflammation in mice deficient for the antigen-processing protease cathepsin E.
Allergic asthma is a Th2-type chronic inflammatory disease of the lung. It is characterized by infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells and T lymphocytes into the airways. Th2 cytokines like interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and chemokines like eotaxin are increased in the asthmatic response. The processing and presentation of exogenous antigens is important in the sensitization to an allergen. Cathepsin E (Ctse) is an intracellular aspartic endoprotease which is expressed in immune cells like dendritic cells (DCs). It was found to play an essential role in the processing and presentation of ovalbumin (OVA). The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibition of Ctse in two different experimental models of allergic airway inflammation. ⋯ Ctse deficiency leads to a reduced antigen presentation in vitro. This is followed by a distinct effect on lymphocyte influx in states of allergic airway inflammation in vivo.