Intranasal administration of abatacept enhances IL-35⁺ and IL-10⁺ producing Bregs in lung tissues of ovalbumin-sensitized asthmatic mice model

Backgrounds Treating asthmatic rheumatoid arthritis patients with abatacept has been shown to associate with better control of asthma symptoms. However, the mechanism behind that is not investigated. Methods Ovalbumin (OVA)- sensitized BALB/c female mice were treated intranasally (IN) or intraperitoneally (IP) with abatacept 4 hrs before the OVA challenge. The effects of abatacept IN or IP on the lungs and blood levels of Tregs and Bregs and their production of immunosuppressive cytokines, were determined using FACS analysis and ELISA assay. Results Treating OVA- sensitized asthmatic mice model with abatacept, IN or IP, reduced lung inflammation. IN treatment with abatacept increased the frequency of IL-35 and IL-10 producing Bregs in the lung tissues to a higher level compared to IP treatment. Moreover, the frequency of lungs LAG3+ Tregs was significantly increased following treatment. This was also associated with a reduction in lung tissue and serum IL-17 levels of treated mice. Conclusions These results suggest that abatacept by enhancing IL-35+IL-10+ Bregs and LAG3+ Tregs might reverse IL-17 induced lung inflammation during asthma.