CD5L Inhibits Allergic Airway Inflammation by Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced ILC2 Apoptosis

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play key roles in allergic asthma development. We have previously discovered that CD5 antigen-like protein (CD5L) can inhibit allergic airway inflammation. In this study, we investigate the effect of CD5L on ILC2s and the underlying mechanism.

Our findings demonstrated that CD5L suppresses allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting ILC2s. CD5L inhibited NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K-AKT pathways in ILC2s, thus reducing interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 production. CD5L increased the level of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) in ILC2s through the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway. The elevated lysoPC further induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in ILC2s, and the increased ROS fed back to increase the level of lysoPC. The accumulated ROS induced ILC2 apoptosis. The scavenger receptor CD36 mediated the inhibitory effect of CD5L on ILC2s and allergic airway inflammation. Finally, CD5L was shown to be potential therapeutic for allergic asthma.

This study is the first to demonstrate that CD5L suppresses allergic airway inflammation by inhibiting ILC2 responses. It is the initial discovery that CD5L promotes ILC2 apoptosis, whereas CD5L was previously recognized as an apoptosis inhibitor. The regulation of TGF-β signaling pathway on lysoPC is demonstrated for the first time.

This study demonstrated that CD5L inhibits ILC2 activation and induces ILC2 apoptosis, thereby suppressing allergic airway inflammation. CD5L can serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for allergic asthma. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 44, 393-409.