Transcription Factors GATA-3 and RORγt Are Important for Determining the Phenotype of Allergic Airway Inflammation in a Murine Model of Asthma

In refractory asthma, neutrophils, rather than eosinophils, often predominate in the airways. Neutrophilic airway inflammation appears to be resistant to steroids and may be related to the Th17, rather than the Th2, cytokine milieu. However, the role of GATA-3 and ROR gamma t, transcription factors for Th2 and Th17 cell differentiation, respectively, in the pathogenesis of steroid-insensitive asthma remains unclear. To examine the effect of GATA-3- and ROR gamma t-overexpression backgrounds on airway inflammation and steroid sensitivity, we generated two strains of transgenic mice overexpressing GATA-3 or RORgt. Mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Some OVA-sensitized/challenged mice were treated with dexamethasone, anti-IL-17 Ab, CXCR2 antagonist, or anti-IL-6R Ab to demonstrate their therapeutic effects on airway inflammation. Although Ag-specific airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness were induced in each mouse, the phenotype of inflammation showed a distinct difference that was dependent upon the genotype. GATA-3-overexpressing mice exhibited steroid-sensitive eosinophilic inflammation with goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hyperproduction under Th2-biased conditions, and ROR gamma t-overexpressing mice developed steroid-insensitive neutrophilic inflammation under Th17-biased conditions. The levels of keratinocyte-derived chemokine, MIP-2, IL-6, and other neutrophil chemotaxis-related mediators were significantly elevated in OVA-exposed ROR gamma t-overexpressing mice compared with wild-type mice. Interestingly, airway hyperresponsiveness accompanied by neutrophilic airway inflammation in ROR gamma t-overexpressing mice was effectively suppressed by anti-IL-17 Ab, CXCR2 antagonist, or anti-IL-6R Ab administration. In conclusion, our results suggest that the expression levels of GATA-3 and RORgt may be important for determining the phenotype of asthmatic airway inflammation. Furthermore, blockade of the Th17-signaling pathway may be a treatment option for steroid-insensitive asthma. The Journal of Immunology, 2013, 190: 1056-1065.