IFN-gamma, but not Fas, mediates reduction of allergen-induced mucous cell metaplasia by inducing apoptosis

Inflammatory responses induced by allergen exposure cause mucous cell metaplasia (MCM) by differentiation of existing and proliferating epithelial cells into mucus-storing cells. Airway epithelia have various mechanisms that resolve these changes to form normal airway epithelia. In this report, we first investigated the state of mucous cell metaplasia and the mechanisms by which MCM is reduced despite continued exposures to allergen. After 5 days of allergen exposure, extensive MCM had developed but was reduced when allergen challenge was continued for 15 days. During this exposure period, IL-13 levels decreased and IFN-gamma levels increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In contrast, IL-13 levels decreased but IFN-gamma was not detected at any time point during the resolution of MCM following cessation of allergen exposure. Instillation of IFN-gamma but not anti-Fas caused accelerated resolution of MCM and MCM was not resolved in Stat1-deficient mice exposed to allergen for 15 days, confirming that IFN-gamma is crucial for reducing MCM during prolonged exposures to allergen. IFN-gamma but not anti-Fas induced apoptotic cell death in proliferating normal human bronchial epithelial cells and in human bronchial epithelial cells from subjects with asthma. The apoptotic effect of IFN-gamma was caspase dependent and was inhibited by IL-13, indicating that the Th2 milieu in asthmatics may maintain MCM by preventing cell death in metaplastic mucous cells. These studies could be useful in the understanding of deficiencies leading to chronicity in airway changes and designing novel therapies to reverse MCM and airway obstruction in asthmatics.