Figure 1. TSLP enhances development of Th2 immune responses during initiation of early phase of Th2 responses, but is dispensable on established Th2 responses.

Wild type and TSLP−/− mice were exposed with ovalbumin (10 µg) by intranasal delivery every other day until day 5. (A) TSLP mRNA expression in the lungs of mice sensitized for 6 days with ovalbumin. (B) On day 6, supernatants from allergen-restimulated lung draining lymph nodes were analyzed for cytokines by Bioplex. (C) Naïve DO11.10 CD4 T cells were adoptively transferred into wild type or TSLP−/− mice and these mice were challenged with ovalbumin (5 µg) every other day until day 5. On day 6, lung draining lymph node cells were allergen-restimulated and supernatants analyzed by Bioplex. In a third set of animals Th2 skewed DO11.10 CD4 T cells were adoptively transferred into wild type and TSLP−/− mice and exposed to ovalbumin for 5 days as above. Subsequently, lungs from mice that received Th2 cells and ovalbumin were (D) stained with PAS and (E) assayed for gob5 and muc5ac expression by qPCR. Fold changes were calculated upon comparison to control lungs from naïve animals. (F) Cytokines were analyzed by Bioplex from supernatants of restimulated lung draining lymph node cells from mice with Th2 cell transfer. Data represent mean±SEM from 4 to 5 mice/group. Lymph nodes from naïve mice challenge with allergen elicit no detectable response.