Targeting IL-11 to reduce fibrocyte circulation and lung accumulation in animal models of pulmonary hypertension-associated lung fibrosis

Abstract

Background and purpose: IL-11 is a member of the IL-6 family of cytokine initially considered as haematopoietic and cytoprotective factor. Recent evidence indicates that IL-11 promotes lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension in animal models and is elevated in lung tissue of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived circulating cells that participate in lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension, but the role of IL-11 on fibrocytes is unknown. We investigated the role of IL-11 system on fibrocyte activation in different in vitro and in vivo models of lung fibrosis associated with pulmonary hypertension.

Experimental approach: Human fibrocytes were isolated from peripheral blood of six healthy donors. Recombinant human (rh)-IL-11 and soluble rh-IL-11 receptor, α subunit (IL-11Rα) were used to stimulated fibrocytes in vitro to measure:- cell migration in a chemotactic migration chamber, fibrocyte to endothelial cell adhesion in a microscope-flow chamber and fibrocyte to myofibroblast transition. Mouse lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension was induced using either IL-11 (s.c.) or bleomycin (intra-tracheal), while in the rat monocrotaline (intra-tracheal) was used. In vivo siRNA-IL-11 was administered to suppress IL-11 in vivo.

Key results: RhIL-11 and soluble rhIL-11Rα promote fibrocyte migration, endothelial cell adhesion and myofibroblast transition. Subcutaneous (s.c.) IL-11 infusion elevates blood, bronchoalveolar and lung tissue fibrocytes. SiRNA-IL-11 transfection in bleomycin and monocrotaline animal models reduces blood and lung tissue fibrocytes and reduces serum CXCL12 and CXCL12/CXCR4 lung expression.

Conclusion and implications: Targeting IL-11 reduces fibrocyte circulation and lung accumulation in animal models of pulmonary hypertension-associated lung fibrosis.

Keywords: fibrocyte; interleukin 11; lung fibrosis; pulmonary hypertension.