Background
It is well-known that Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential in the development of airway Th2 polarization and airway allergy (AA). The underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. The
Conclusions
Airway DCs from AA mice showed elevated amounts of Mettl5, which led to the expression of TIM4. The experimental AA was mitigated by Mettl5 inhibition.
Methods
Dust mite extracts (DME) were used as a specific antigen to establish an AA mouse model. The epigenetic status of DCs was examined using a Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. A mouse strain carrying the Mettl5-deficient DCs was used to observe the role of Mettl5 in determining the phenotypes of DCs.
Results
The results showed that the expression of Mettl5 was elevated in DCs, which was positively correlated with the AA response. The development of airway Th2 polarization was hindered by Mettl5 depletion in DCs. Mettl5 is involved in the transcription of the Timd4 gene in DCs caused by DME. The degradation of IRF5 by Mettl5 led to an increase in T cell immunoglobulin domain molecule-4 (TIM4) expression in DCs associated with DME. Inhibition of Mettl5 in DCs reconciled the DME-induced airway Th2 polarization and experimental AA. Conclusions: Airway DCs from AA mice showed elevated amounts of Mettl5, which led to the expression of TIM4. The experimental AA was mitigated by Mettl5 inhibition.