Epithelial Autoantigen-Specific IgG Antibody Enhances Eosinophil Extracellular Trap Formation in Severe Asthma

There have been autoimmune mechanisms for the pathogenesis of severe asthma (SA) involving epithelial autoantigen-specific antibodies. This study aimed to find the function of these antibodies in the formation of eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs), contributing to the development of SA.

Patients with SA (n = 11), those with patients with nonsevere asthma (NSA, n = 41), and healthy controls (HCs, n = 26) were recruited to evaluate levels of epithelial antigens and autoantigen-specific antibodies. Moreover, the significance of epithelial autoantigen-specific antibodies in association with EET production was investigated ex vivo and in vivo.

Significantly higher levels of serum cytokeratin (CK) 18 and CK18-specific IgG were observed in patients with SA than in those with NSA (P = 0.001 and P = 0.031, respectively), while no differences were found in serum CK19 or CK19-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG). Moreover, levels of serum CK18 were positively correlated with total eosinophil counts (r = 0.276, P = 0.048) in asthmatics, while a negative correlation was noted between levels of serum CK18 and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) %. In the presence of CK18-specific IgG, peripheral eosinophils from asthmatics released EETs, which further increased CK18 production from airway epithelial cells. In severe asthmatic mice, CK18 expression and CK18-specific IgG production were enhanced in the lungs, where EET treatment enhanced CK18 expression and CK18-specific IgG production, either of which was not suppressed by dexamethasone.

These suggest that EETs could enhance epithelial autoantigen (CK18)-induced autoimmune responses, further stimulating EET production and type 2 airway responses, which is a new therapeutic target for SA.