Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Stott, Bryony, BSc
• Lavender, Paul, PhD
• Lehmann, Sarah, MSc
• Pennino, Davide, BSc
• Durham, Stephen, MD, FRCP
• Schmidt-Weber, Carsten B., PhD

Titel

Human IL-31 is induced by IL-4 and promotes TH 2-driven inflammation

Ist Teil von

• Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 2013, Vol.132 (2), p.446-454.e5

Erscheinungsjahr

2013

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Background The pruritic cytokine IL-31 has been shown to be expressed by murine activated effector T Lymphocytes of a TH 2 phenotype. Like IL-17 and IL-22, IL-31 is a tissue-signaling cytokine the receptor of which is mainly found on nonimmune cells. An overabundance of IL-31 has been shown in patients with atopic disorders, including dermatitis, as well as asthma, and therefore represents a promising drug target, although its regulation in the context of the human TH 2 clusters is not yet known. Objective We sought to address the gene regulation of human IL-31 and to test whether IL-31 possesses a similar proallergic function as members of the human TH 2 cytokine family, such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Methods Polyclonal and purified protein derivative of tuburculin–specific T-cell clones were generated. TH phenotype was determined, and IL-31 was measured by means of ELISA. Gene expression of primary bronchial epithelial cells treated with IL-31 was also measured. Results IL-31 was expressed by all of the TH 2 clones and not by TH 1, TH 17, or TH 22. This expression was dependent on autocrine IL-4 expression from these clones because it could be reduced if blocking antibodies to IL-4 were present. Interestingly, TH 1 clones were able to express IL-31 if IL-4 was added to culture. This IL-31 expression was transient and did not affect the phenotype of the TH 1 clones. IL-31 was able to induce proinflammatory genes, such as CCL2 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Conclusion IL-31 is not a TH 2 cytokine in the classical sense but is likely to be expressed by a number of cells in an allergic situation in which IL-4 is present and possibly contribute to the allergic reaction.