To evaluate cellular response to oncostatin M (OSM) in comparison to interleukin (IL)-31, we analyzed monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) as a readout for OSM responses with and without IL-4, IL-13, anti-OSM receptor β monoclonal antibody KPL-716, and anti-IL-31 receptor α antibody in human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts in vitro. In human epidermal keratinocytes, OSM significantly induced STAT3 or STAT1 phosphorylation and synergized with IL-13 or IL-4 in elevating MCP-1. In human dermal fibroblasts, OSM results were similar, and leukemia inhibitory factor or IL-31 minimally activated STAT3 but not MCP-1. OSM significantly stimulated mRNA for type II IL-4 receptor and type II OSM receptor. KPL-716, not anti-IL-31Rα, significantly attenuated MCP-1 response to OSM and OSM + IL-4 in human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. OSM, not leukemia inhibitory factor or IL-31, synergized with IL-4 and IL-13 in human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts, suggesting therapeutic potential of KPL-716 in inflammatory dermatologic diseases distinct from IL-31 inhibition.
Keywords: inflammatory skin diseases; interleukins; keratinocytes; signaling; pruritus.