Immunomodulatory role of Interleukin-33 in large vessel vasculitis

Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 14;10(1):6405. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-63042-3.

Abstract

The mechanisms regulating inflammation in large vessels vasculitis (LVV) are poorly understood. Interleukin 33 (IL-33) has been shown to license innate and adaptive immunity by enhancing Th2 cytokines production. We aimed to examine the role of IL-33 in the immunomodulation of T cell activation in LVV. T cell homeostasis and cytokines production were determined in peripheral blood from 52 patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and 50 healthy donors (HD), using Luminex assay, flow cytometry, quantitative RT-PCR and by immunofluorescence analysis in inflammatory aorta lesions. We found increased level of IL-33 and its receptor ST2/IL-1R4 in the serum of patient with LVV. Endothelial cells were the main source of IL-33, whereas Th2 cells, Tregs and mast cells (MC) express ST2 in LVV vessels. IL-33 had a direct immunomodulatory impact by increasing Th2 and Tregs. IL-33 and MC further enhanced Th2 and regulatory responses by inducing a 6.1 fold increased proportion of Tregs (p = 0.008). Stimulation of MC by IL-33 increased indoleamine 2 3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity and IL-2 secretion. IL-33 mRNA expression was significantly correlated with the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β within aorta inflammatory lesions. To conclude, our findings suggest that IL-33 may exert a critical immunoregulatory role in promoting Tregs and Th2 cells in LVV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / blood
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / immunology*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein / metabolism
  • Interleukin-33 / blood
  • Interleukin-33 / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mast Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • IL1RL1 protein, human
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33