Neutralization of IL-15 abrogates experimental immune-mediated cholangitis in diet-induced obese mice

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 15;8(1):3127. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21112-7.

Abstract

Obesity is a global epidemic affecting chronic inflammatory diseases. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease that can occur as an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Previously we reported that patients with PSC who are obese have a higher risk of advanced liver disease. Currently it is unknown how obesity accelerates or worsens PSC. We evaluated the progression of PSC in an antigen-driven cholangitis mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Obesity was induced in our murine model of immune-mediated cholangitis (OVAbil). OVAbil mice were fed standard chow or high-fat/sucrose diet for twelve weeks followed by induction of biliary inflammation by OVA-specific T cell transfer. Histopathological damage in portal tracts was scored and serum collected. Neutralizing antibodies against IL-15 were administered daily until study termination. Obese mice developed exacerbated liver inflammation and damage. Immune cell phenotyping in liver revealed greater numbers of neutrophils and CD8+ T cells in obese mice. Higher levels of cytokines and chemokines were found in obese mice with cholangitis. Immuno-neutralizing antibodies against IL-15 greatly attenuated cholangitis in obese mice. Obesity exacerbated experimental PSC in part by overproduction of IL-15. Timely targeting of IL-15 may slow the progression of PSC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / pharmacology
  • Biliary Tract / metabolism
  • Cholangitis / immunology
  • Cholangitis / pathology
  • Cholangitis / prevention & control
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / immunology*
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / pathology*
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / prevention & control
  • Cholestasis / pathology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Diet
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / pathology
  • Interleukin-15 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-15 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-15 / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Obese
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / immunology
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-15

Grants and funding