Dendritic cell co-transfected with FasL and allergen genes induces T cell tolerance and decreases airway inflammation in allergen induced murine model

Dendritic cell (DC) displays tremendous functional plasticity in response to antigens and plays important roles in inducing immune tolerance. In this study, we investigated the effects of immature DC (imDC) co-transfected with FasL and allergen Der p2 genes (FasL-Der p2-DC) on inducing immune tolerance and modulating airway inflammation of Der p2-induced allergic mice. Moreover, we compared the effects of FasL-Der p2-DC with FasL-transfected imDC (FasL-DC) and Der p2-transfected imDC (Der p2-DC) respectively. Results showed that FasL-Der p2-DC and Der p2-pulsed FasL-DC induced T cell unresponsiveness to Der p2 via apoptosis. Der p2-DC could induce T cell hyporesponsiveness to Der p2. FasL-Der p2-DC, FasL-DC and Der p2-DC could inhibit Th2 response and reduce allergic airway inflammation. FasL-Der p2-DC was more effective than FasL-DC and Der p2-DC, respectively. These results demonstrate that FasL and allergen genes co-expressing DC might be a promising approach to allergy therapy.