IL-27 Negatively Regulates Tip-DC Development during Infection

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-producing dendritic cells (Tip-DCs) have profound impacts on host immune responses during infections. The mechanisms regulating Tip-DC development remain largely unknown. Here, using a mouse model of infection with African trypanosomes, we show that a deficiency in interleukin-27 receptor (IL-27R) signaling results in escalated intrahepatic accumulation of Ly6C-positive (Ly6C⁺) monocytes and their differentiation into Tip-DCs. Blocking Tip-DC development significantly ameliorates liver injury and increases the survival of infected IL-27R^-/- mice. Mechanistically, Ly6C⁺ monocyte differentiation into pathogenic Tip-DCs in infected IL-27R^-/- mice is driven by a CD4⁺ T cell-interferon gamma (IFN-γ) axis via cell-intrinsic IFN-γ signaling. In parallel, hyperactive IFN-γ signaling induces cell death of Ly6C-negative (Ly6C^-) monocytes in a cell-intrinsic manner, which in turn aggravates the development of pathogenic Tip-DCs due to the loss of the negative regulation of Ly6C^- monocytes on Ly6C⁺ monocyte differentiation into Tip-DCs. Thus, IL-27 inhibits the dual-track exacerbation of Tip-DC development induced by a CD4⁺ T cell-IFN-γ axis. We conclude that IL-27 negatively regulates Tip-DC development by preventing the cell-intrinsic effects of IFN-γ and that the regulation involves CD4⁺ T cells and Ly6C^- monocytes. Targeting IL-27 signaling may manipulate Tip-DC development for therapeutic intervention.IMPORTANCE TNF/iNOS-producing dendritic cells (Tip-DCs) are at the front line as immune effector cells to fight off a broad range of invading microbes. Excessive development of Tip-DCs contributes to tissue destruction. Thus, identifying master regulators of Tip-DC development is fundamental for developing new therapeutic strategies. Here, we identify Tip-DCs as a terminal target of IL-27, which prevents Tip-DC-mediated early mortality during parasitic infections. We demonstrate that IL-27 inhibits Tip-DC development via a dual-track mechanism involving the complex interactions of effector CD4⁺ T cells, Ly6C^- monocytes, and Ly6C⁺ monocytes. These findings delineate an in-depth view of mechanisms of Tip-DC differentiation that may have significant implications for the ongoing development of IL-27-based immunotherapy.

Keywords: African trypanosomes; IFN-γ; IL-27; Ly6C+ monocytes; Ly6C− monocytes; Tip-DCs; host-pathogen interactions; intravital imaging; liver immunity; murine model of African trypanosomiasis; parasites.