Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

HTR2A agonists play a therapeutic role by restricting ILC2 activation in papain-induced lung inflammation

Abstract

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a category of heterogeneous cells that produce the cytokines IL-5 and IL-13, which mediate the type 2 immune response. However, specific drug targets on lung ILC2s have rarely been reported. Previous studies have shown that type 2 cytokines, such as IL-5 and IL-13, are related to depression. Here, we demonstrated the negative correlation between the depression-associated monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin and secretion of the cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 by ILC2s in individuals with depression. Interestingly, serotonin ameliorates papain-induced lung inflammation by suppressing ILC2 activation. Our data showed that the serotonin receptor HTR2A was highly expressed on ILC2s from mouse lungs and human PBMCs. Furthermore, an HTR2A selective agonist (DOI) impaired ILC2 activation and alleviated the type 2 immune response in vivo and in vitro. Mice with ILC2-specific depletion of HTR2A (Il5cre/+·Htr2aflox/flox mice) abolished the DOI-mediated inhibition of ILC2s in a papain-induced mouse model of inflammation. In conclusion, serotonin and DOI could restrict the type 2 lung immune response, indicating a potential treatment strategy for type 2 lung inflammation by targeting HTR2A on ST2+ ILC2s.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gause WC, Rothlin C, Loke P. Heterogeneity in the initiation, development and function of type 2 immunity. Nat Rev Immunol. 2020;20:603–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Moro K, Yamada T, Tanabe M, Takeuchi T, Ikawa T, Kawamoto H, et al. Innate production of T(H)2 cytokines by adipose tissue-associated c-Kit(+)Sca-1(+) lymphoid cells. Nature. 2010;463:540–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Neill DR, Wong SH, Bellosi A, Flynn RJ, Daly M, Langford TK, et al. Nuocytes represent a new innate effector leukocyte that mediates type-2 immunity. Nature. 2010;464:1367–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Price AE, Liang HE, Sullivan BM, Reinhardt RL, Eisley CJ, Erle DJ, et al. Systemically dispersed innate IL-13-expressing cells in type 2 immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2010;107:11489–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Kabata H, Moro K, Koyasu S. The group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) regulatory network and its underlying mechanisms. Immunol Rev. 2018;286:37–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Talbot S, Abdulnour RE, Burkett PR, Lee S, Cronin SJ, Pascal MA, et al. Silencing Nociceptor Neurons Reduces Allergic Airway Inflammation. Neuron. 2015;87:341–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Galle-Treger L, Suzuki Y, Patel N, Sankaranarayanan I, Aron JL, Maazi H, et al. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist attenuates ILC2-dependent airway hyperreactivity. Nat Commun. 2016;7:13202.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Wallrapp A, Riesenfeld SJ, Burkett PR, Abdulnour RE, Nyman J, Dionne D, et al. The neuropeptide NMU amplifies ILC2-driven allergic lung inflammation. Nature. 2017;549:351–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Klose CSN, Mahlakõiv T, Moeller JB, Rankin LC, Flamar AL, Kabata H, et al. The neuropeptide neuromedin U stimulates innate lymphoid cells and type 2 inflammation. Nature. 2017;549:282–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Cardoso V, Chesné J, Ribeiro H, García-Cassani B, Carvalho T, Bouchery T, et al. Neuronal regulation of type 2 innate lymphoid cells via neuromedin U. Nature. 2017;549:277–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Moriyama S, Brestoff JR, Flamar AL, Moeller JB, Klose C, Rankin LC, et al. beta2-adrenergic receptor-mediated negative regulation of group 2 innate lymphoid cell responses. Science. 2018;359:1056–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Nagashima H, Mahlakõiv T, Shih HY, Davis FP, Meylan F, Huang Y, et al. Neuropeptide CGRP Limits Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Responses and Constrains Type 2 Inflammation. Immunity. 2019;51:682–95.e686.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Wallrapp A, Burkett PR, Riesenfeld SJ, Kim SJ, Christian E, Abdulnour RE, et al. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Negatively Regulates Alarmin-Driven Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Responses. Immunity. 2019;51:709–23.e706.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Xu H, Ding J, Porter C, Wallrapp A, Tabaka M, Ma S, et al. Transcriptional Atlas of Intestinal Immune Cells Reveals that Neuropeptide alpha-CGRP Modulates Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Responses. Immunity. 2019;51:696–708.e699.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Inclan-Rico JM, Ponessa JJ, Valero-Pacheco N, Hernandez CM, Sy CB, Lemenze AD, et al. Basophils prime group 2 innate lymphoid cells for neuropeptide-mediated inhibition. Nat Immunol. 2020;21:1181–93.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Chu C, Parkhurst CN, Zhang W, Zhou L, Yano H, Arifuzzaman M, et al. The ChAT-acetylcholine pathway promotes group 2 innate lymphoid cell responses and anti-helminth immunity. Sci Immunol. 2021;6:eabe3218.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Roberts LB, Schnoeller C, Berkachy R, Darby M, Pillaye J, Oudhoff MJ, et al. Acetylcholine production by group 2 innate lymphoid cells promotes mucosal immunity to helminths. Sci Immunol. 2021;6:eabd0359.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Dougan M, Dranoff G, Dougan SK. GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5 Family of Cytokines: Regulators of Inflammation. Immunity. 2019;50:796–811.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hammad H, Lambrecht BN. The basic immunology of asthma. Cell. 2021;184:1469–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Licona-Limon P, Kim LK, Palm NW, Flavell RA. TH2, allergy and group 2 innate lymphoid cells. Nat Immunol. 2013;14:536–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Wynn TA. IL-13 effector functions. Annu Rev Immunol. 2003;21:425–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Schmidt FM, Lichtblau N, Minkwitz J, Chittka T, Thormann J, Kirkby KC, et al. Cytokine levels in depressed and non-depressed subjects, and masking effects of obesity. J Psychiatr Res. 2014;55:29–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Dahl J, Ormstad H, Aass HC, Malt UF, Bendz LT, Sandvik L, et al. The plasma levels of various cytokines are increased during ongoing depression and are reduced to normal levels after recovery. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;45:77–86.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Malhi GS, Mann JJ. Depression. Lancet. 2018;392:2299–312.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Segal DS, Kuczenski R, Mandell AJ. Theoretical implications of drug-induced adaptive regulation for a biogenic amine hypothesis of affective disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 1974;9:147–59.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Delgado PL, Charney DS, Price LH, Aghajanian GK, Landis H, Heninger GR. Serotonin function and the mechanism of antidepressant action. Reversal of antidepressant-induced remission by rapid depletion of plasma tryptophan. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1990;47:411–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Berger M, Gray JA, Roth BL. The expanded biology of serotonin. Annu Rev Med. 2009;60:355–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Nichols DE, Nichols CD. Serotonin receptors. Chem Rev. 2008;108:1614–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Shajib MS, Khan WI. The role of serotonin and its receptors in activation of immune responses and inflammation. Acta Physiol. 2015;213:561–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. de Las Casas-Engel M, Corbi AL. Serotonin modulation of macrophage polarization: inflammation and beyond. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014;824:89–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Herr N, Bode C, Duerschmied D. The Effects of Serotonin in Immune Cells. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2017;4:48.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Dürk T, Duerschmied D, Müller T, Grimm M, Reuter S, Vieira RP, et al. Production of serotonin by tryptophan hydroxylase 1 and release via platelets contribute to allergic airway inflammation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2013;187:476–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Nau F Jr, Yu B, Martin D, Nichols CD. Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor activation blocks TNF-alpha mediated inflammation in vivo. PLoS One. 2013;8:e75426.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Nau F Jr, Miller J, Saravia J, Ahlert T, Yu B, Happel KI, et al. Serotonin 5-HT(2) receptor activation prevents allergic asthma in a mouse model. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2015;308:L191–98.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Yagi R, Zhong C, Northrup DL, Yu F, Bouladoux N, Spencer S, et al. The transcription factor GATA3 is critical for the development of all IL-7Ralpha-expressing innate lymphoid cells. Immunity. 2014;40:378–88.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Flamar AL, Klose C, Moeller JB, Mahlakõiv T, Bessman NJ, Zhang W, et al. Interleukin-33 Induces the Enzyme Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1 to Promote Inflammatory Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell-Mediated Immunity. Immunity. 2020;52:606–19.e606.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Huang Y, Li X, Zhu L, Huang C, Chen W, Ling Z, et al. Thrombin cleaves IL-33 and modulates IL-33-activated allergic lung inflammation. Allergy. 2022;77:2104–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Jacobsen JP, Medvedev IO, Caron MG. The 5-HT deficiency theory of depression: perspectives from a naturalistic 5-HT deficiency model, the tryptophan hydroxylase 2Arg439His knockin mouse. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2012;367:2444–59.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. American Psychiatric Association, T.F.f.t.H.o.P.M.R.A.J. Handbook of psychiatric measures. American Psychiatric Association: Washington, DC, 2000.

  40. Feighner JP. Mechanism of action of antidepressant medications. J Clin Psychiatry. 1999;60:4–11.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Kirino E. Escitalopram for the management of major depressive disorder: a review of its efficacy, safety, and patient acceptability. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2012;6:853–61.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Matthes S, Bader M. Peripheral Serotonin Synthesis as a New Drug Target. Trends Pharm Sci. 2018;39:560–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Flanagan TW, Billac GB, Landry AN, Sebastian MN, Cormier SA, Nichols CD. Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis of Psychedelics in a Rat Model of Asthma Reveals the Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacophore. ACS Pharm Transl Sci. 2021;4:488–502.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Canal CE, Morgan D. Head-twitch response in rodents induced by the hallucinogen 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine: a comprehensive history, a re-evaluation of mechanisms, and its utility as a model. Drug Test Anal. 2012;4:556–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Moore RH, Khan A, Dickey BF. Long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists in asthma therapy. Chest. 1998;113:1095–108.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Domingo C, Rello J, Sogo A. As-needed ICS-LABA in Mild Asthma: What Does the Evidence Say? Drugs. 2019;79:1729–37.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Wong SH, Walker JA, Jolin HE, Drynan LF, Hams E, Camelo A, et al. Transcription factor RORalpha is critical for nuocyte development. Nat Immunol. 2012;13:229–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. Lei AH, Xiao Q, Liu GY, Shi K, Yang Q, Li X, et al. ICAM-1 controls development and function of ILC2. J Exp Med. 2018;215:2157–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Guo L, Junttila IS, Paul WE. Cytokine-induced cytokine production by conventional and innate lymphoid cells. Trends Immunol. 2012;33:598–606.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Waldmann TA, Chen J. Disorders of the JAK/STAT Pathway in T Cell Lymphoma Pathogenesis: Implications for Immunotherapy. Annu Rev Immunol. 2017;35:533–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Liu S, Verma M, Michalec L, Liu W, Sripada A, Rollins D, et al. Steroid resistance of airway type 2 innate lymphoid cells from patients with severe asthma: The role of thymic stromal lymphopoietin. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141:257–68.e256.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Yu QN, Guo YB, Li X, Li CL, Tan WP, Fan XL, et al. ILC2 frequency and activity are inhibited by glucocorticoid treatment via STAT pathway in patients with asthma. Allergy. 2018;73:1860–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Urban JD, Clarke WP, von Zastrow M, Nichols DE, Kobilka B, Weinstein H, et al. Functional selectivity and classical concepts of quantitative pharmacology. J Pharm Exp Ther. 2007;320:1–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Bhatnagar A, Sheffler DJ, Kroeze WK, Compton-Toth B, Roth BL. Caveolin-1 interacts with 5-HT2A serotonin receptors and profoundly modulates the signaling of selected Galphaq-coupled protein receptors. J Biol Chem. 2004;279:34614–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Herbert JM, Augereau JM, Gleye J, Maffrand JP. Chelerythrine is a potent and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1990;172:993–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Ricardo-Gonzalez RR, Van Dyken SJ, Schneider C, Lee J, Nussbaum JC, Liang HE, et al. Tissue signals imprint ILC2 identity with anticipatory function. Nat Immunol. 2018;19:1093–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Kim DH, Van Dyken SJ. ILC2s in High Definition: Decoding the Logic of Tissue-Based Immunity. Trends Immunol. 2020;41:7–16.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Simoni Y, Fehlings M, Kløverpris HN, McGovern N, Koo SL, Loh CY, et al. Human Innate Lymphoid Cell Subsets Possess Tissue-Type Based Heterogeneity in Phenotype and Frequency. Immunity. 2017;46:148–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Felder CC, Kanterman RY, Ma AL, Axelrod J. Serotonin stimulates phospholipase A2 and the release of arachidonic acid in hippocampal neurons by a type 2 serotonin receptor that is independent of inositolphospholipid hydrolysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1990;87:2187–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. Hoyer D, Clarke DE, Fozard JR, Hartig PR, Martin GR, Mylecharane EJ, et al. International Union of Pharmacology classification of receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine (Serotonin). Pharm Rev. 1994;46:157–203.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Lefkowitz RJ, Shenoy SK. Transduction of receptor signals by beta-arrestins. Science. 2005;308:512–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Lefkowitz RJ, Rajagopal K, Whalen EJ. New roles for beta-arrestins in cell signaling: not just for seven-transmembrane receptors. Mol Cell. 2006;24:643–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Wendell SG, Fan H, Zhang C. G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Asthma Therapy: Pharmacology and Drug Action. Pharm Rev. 2020;72:1–49.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  64. Pierce KL, Lefkowitz RJ. Classical and new roles of beta-arrestins in the regulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2001;2:727–33.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Schmid CL, Raehal KM, Bohn LM. Agonist-directed signaling of the serotonin 2A receptor depends on beta-arrestin-2 interactions in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2008;105:1079–84.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. Wang Y, Tang Y, Teng L, Wu Y, Zhao X, Pei G. Association of beta-arrestin and TRAF6 negatively regulates Toll-like receptor-interleukin 1 receptor signaling. Nat Immunol. 2006;7:139–47.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Yu MC, Su LL, Zou L, Liu Y, Wu N, Kong L, et al. An essential function for beta-arrestin 2 in the inhibitory signaling of natural killer cells. Nat Immunol. 2008;9:898–907.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Yan Y, Jiang W, Spinetti T, Tardivel A, Castillo R, Bourquin C, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids prevent inflammation and metabolic disorder through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Immunity. 2013;38:1154–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Guillet-Deniau I, Burnol AF, Girard J. Identification and localization of a skeletal muscle secrotonin 5-HT2A receptor coupled to the Jak/STAT pathway. J Biol Chem. 1997;272:14825–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2018YFA0507402), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32000667), the Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action (21ZR1470600), and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2022264). This work was also supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81771465 and 81930033) and the Science and Technology Project of the Department of Education of Jiangxi Province (GJJ211248). RKG and JZ are supported by the Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (grant 1ZIA-AI-001169) and the US‒China Biomedical Collaborative Research Program (grant AI-129775). We are grateful to Guomei Lin for breeding the animals and for animal management. We also acknowledge the individuals involved in technical support at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, CAS, including the Core Facility for Cell Biology, the Animal Core Facility, the Core Facility of Molecular Biology and the Chemical Biology Core Facility.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

ZW, CY, QD, YH and XL designed and performed the experiments and analyzed the data. DZ and RM collected the clinical samples. RG provided protocols and suggestions and discussed the data. SC analyzed the RNA-Seq data. WG, LZ, DL and WF contributed to discussions related to the project. LM and ZL prepared the cell lines and provided the reagents. JQ provided mice. ZW and YZ wrote the manuscript. BS, JZ, YF, EL, and YZ supervised the project and revised the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Chenghua Yan, Enmei Liu, Yaguang Zhang, Yiru Fang, Jinfang Zhu or Bing Sun.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics approval

All animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ethics approval number SIBCB-S303-1610-030-c2). The use of depressive patient samples was approved by the Shanghai Mental Health Center (ethics approval number 2018-32). The use of healthy subject samples was approved by the Shanghai Mental Health Center (ethics approval number 2018-32). All samples were deidentified before use in the study, and all participants provided written informed consent.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, Z., Yan, C., Du, Q. et al. HTR2A agonists play a therapeutic role by restricting ILC2 activation in papain-induced lung inflammation. Cell Mol Immunol 20, 404–418 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-023-00982-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-023-00982-6

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links