Elucidating the role of interleukin-17F in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Blood. 2013 Aug 8;122(6):943-50. doi: 10.1182/blood-2013-01-480889. Epub 2013 Jun 25.

Abstract

Inappropriately regulated expression of interleukin (IL)-17A is associated with the development of inflammatory diseases and cancer. However, little is known about the role of other IL-17 family members in carcinogenesis. Here, we show that a set of malignant T-cell lines established from patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) spontaneously secrete IL-17F and that inhibitors of Janus kinases and Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 are able to block that secretion. Other malignant T-cell lines produce IL-17A but not IL-17F. Upon activation, however, some of the malignant T-cell lines are able to coexpress IL-17A and IL-17F, leading to formation of IL-17A/F heterodimers. Clinically, we demonstrate that IL-17F messenger RNA expression is significantly increased in CTCL skin lesions compared with healthy donors and patients with chronic dermatitis. IL-17A expression is also increased and a significant number of patients express high levels of both IL-17A and IL-17F. Concomitantly, we observed that the expression of the IL-17 receptor is significantly increased in CTCL skin lesions compared with control subjects. Importantly, analysis of a historic cohort of 60 CTCL patients indicates that IL-17F expression is associated with progressive disease. These findings implicate IL-17F in the pathogenesis of CTCL and suggest that IL-17 cytokines and their receptors may serve as therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mycosis Fungoides / metabolism
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Skin / pathology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-17
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Janus Kinases