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

Asthma is one of the most common non-communicable 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 FDA-approved therapeutic targets of the anti-asthmatic 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 mice subjected to experimental fungal asthma had increased expression of Alox15 mRNA as well as increased levels of 12-HETE, a product of 12/15-LOX activity, in the lung when compared to naïve 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 to WT mice, which was corroborated by flow cytometric analysis of multiple myeloid (eosinophils, neutrophils) and lymphoid (CD4+ T, γδ 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 supports the hypothesis that hematopoietic-associated 12/15-LOX contributes to type 2 responses and exacerbation of allergic fungal asthma.