Ken Ishii's group (Vaccine Science) revealed that the mechanism of induction of allergic inflammation by inhaled fine particles. The group found that particulates such as aluminum salts and silica killed alveolar macrophages (AMs), which then released interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and caused inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT) formation in the lung. IL-1α release continued for up to 2 weeks after particulate exposure, and type-2 immune responses were induced by the inhalation of antigen during IL-1α release and iBALT formation. The results suggest that AM-IL-1α-iBALT axis might be a therapeutic target for particulate- induced allergic inflammation.

Contact:
Ken Ishii
Vaccine Science
Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University