IL-25 exacerbates autoimmune aortitis in IL-1 receptor antagonist-deficient mice

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 19;9(1):17067. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-53633-0.

Abstract

IL-25, a member of the IL-17 family of cytokines, is known to enhance type 2 immune responses, but suppress type 3 (IL-17A)-mediated immune responses. Mice deficient in IL-1 receptor antagonist (Il1rn-/- mice) have excessive IL-1 signaling, resulting in spontaneous development of IL-1-, TNF- and IL-17A-dependent aortitis. We found that expression of II25 mRNA was increased in the aortae of Il1rn-/- mice, suggesting that IL-25 may suppress development of IL-1-, TNF- and IL-17A-dependent aortitis in Il1rn-/- mice by inhibiting type 3-mediated immune responses. However, we unexpectedly found that Il25-/-Il1rn-/- mice showed attenuated development of aortitis, accompanied by reduced accumulation of inflammatory cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils and reduced mRNA expression of Il17a and Tnfa-but not Il4 or Il13-in local lesions compared with Il1rn-/- mice. Tissue-, but not immune cell-, derived IL-25 was crucial for development of aortitis. IL-25 enhanced IL-1β and TNF production by IL-25 receptor-expressing dendritic cells and macrophages, respectively, at inflammatory sites of aortae of Il1rn-/- mice, contributing to exacerbation of development of IL-1-, TNF- and IL-17A-dependent aortitis in those mice. Our findings suggest that neutralization of IL-25 may be a potential therapeutic target for aortitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aortitis / genetics
  • Aortitis / immunology*
  • Aortitis / pathology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / genetics*
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / immunology*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • IL1B protein, mouse
  • Il17a protein, mouse
  • Il1rn protein, mouse
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukins
  • Mydgf protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tnf protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha