Hematopoietic 12/15-lipoxygenase activity negatively contributes to fungal-associated allergic asthma

Asthma is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases in the world. Approximately 30% of severe cases are associated with fungal sensitization, often associated with allergy to the opportunistic mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Leukotrienes, immunopathogenic mediators derived from the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), are often elevated in severe asthma. As such, these mediators are Food and Drug Administration-approved therapeutic targets of the antiasthmatic drugs Zileuton/Zyflo and Singulair/Montelukast. A second enzyme involved in AA metabolism is 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX; Alox15). Here, C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice subjected to experimental fungal asthma had increased expression of Alox15 mRNA and increased levels of 12-HETE, a product of 12/15-LOX activity, in the lung when compared with na & iuml;ve and vehicle-treated mice. Mice deficient in 12/15-LOX (Alox15(-/-)) demonstrated better lung function, as measured by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), during fungal asthma. Histological assessment revealed reduced inflammation in the lungs of Alox15(-/-) mice compared with WT mice, which was corroborated by flow cytometric analysis of multiple myeloid (eosinophils and neutrophils) and lymphoid (CD4+ T and ?d T) cell populations. This was further supported by decreased levels of specific chemokines that promote the recruitment of these cells. Likewise, type 1 and 2, but not type 17 cytokines, were significantly lower in the lungs of Alox15-/- mice. Bone marrow chimera studies revealed that the presence of 12/15-LOX in hematopoietic cells contributed to AHR during fungal asthma. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that hematopoietic-associated 12/15-LOX contributes to type 1 and 2 responses and exacerbation of allergic fungal asthma.

Automated summary

Asthma is a common disease associated with fungal sensitization and elevated levels of leukotrienes. In this study, mice deficient in 12/15-lipoxygenase (Alox15) showed improved lung function and decreased inflammation during fungal asthma. The presence of 12/15-LOX in hematopoietic cells contributed to type 1 and 2 responses and exacerbated allergic fungal asthma.