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Updated: May 10, 2026

Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Models to Investigate the Epithelial Barrier in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
Interaction between allergy and innate immunity: model for eosinophil regulation of epithelial cell interferon
Sameer K Mathur1, Paul S Fichtinger, John T Kelly
1Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. sm4@medicine.wisc.edu
Background:
Eosinophils in asthmatic airways are associated with risk of exacerbations. The most common cause of asthma exacerbations is viral respiratory infections, particularly human rhinovirus (HRV).
Objective:
To determine the mechanism by which eosinophils may influence virus-induced responses.
Methods:
We used an in vitro coculture model of primary human eosinophils and the BEAS-2B epithelial cell line either stimulated with HRV1A infection or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of interferon (IFN) β1 and IFN-λ1 was assessed by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and the protein level of IFN- λ1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
Both poly(I:C) and HRV1A infection induced BEAS-2B expression of IFN-β1 and IFN-λ1 mRNA. Coculture of eosinophils resulted in suppression of poly(I:C)-stimulated IFN-β1 and IFN-λ1 mRNA expression (2.5-fold and 3.6-fold less, respectively). Separation of cells did not block eosinophil regulatory activity. Coculture of eosinophils with HRV1A-infected BEAS-2B cells also suppressed IFN-β1 and IFN-λ1 mRNA (5.7-fold and 5.0-fold less, respectively) and reduced IFN-λ1 protein secretion (1.6-fold decrease). This corresponded to a 34% increase in the quantity of HRV1A virus RNA on coculture with eosinophils. Recombinant transforming growth factor β suppressed IFN-λ1 from HRV1A-infected BEAS-2B cells. Coculture of eosinophils and BEAS-2B cells induced transforming growth factor β secretion, which may mediate suppression of HRV-induced interferon expression.
Conclusion:
Eosinophils suppressed HRV-induced expression of interferons from epithelial cells, resulting in increased quantity of HRV. This represents one mechanism for interaction between allergic inflammation and innate immunity.
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