Myeloid differentiation protein-2 has a protective role in house dust mite-mediated asthmatic characteristics with the proinflammatory regulation of airway epithelial cells and dendritic cells.

Myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD-2) is a lipopolysaccharide-binding protein involved in lipopolysaccharide signaling via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). TLR4 plays an essential role in HDM-mediated allergic airway inflammation. Moreover, MD-2 is structurally similar to Der f 2, a major allergen from house dust mite (HDM).
We aimed to clarify the role of MD-2 in the pathogenesis of HDM-mediated allergic airway inflammation.
Wild type (WT), TLR4 knockout, and MD-2 knockout mice were subjected to intranasal instillation of HDM extract, and asthmatic features were evaluated. We also evaluated gene sets regulated by MD-2 in HDM-treated airway epithelial cells and examined the function of dendritic cells from lymph nodes and from lungs.
Aggravated allergic airway inflammation with increased airway hyperresponsiveness was observed in MD-2 knockout mice compared with WT and TLR4 knockout mice. Global gene expression analysis revealed an MD-2 regulated proinflammatory response and reconstituted TLR4 signaling in airway epithelial cells. The ability of dendritic cells to evoke an allergic immune response was enhanced in MD-2 knockout mice.
MD-2 plays a protective role in HDM-induced airway allergy with the proinflammatory regulation of airway epithelial cells and dendritic cells. MD-2 may serve as a therapeutic target in the treatment of asthma.

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