Forced expression of murine IL-17E induces growth retardation, jaundice, a Th2-biased response, and multiorgan inflammation in mice

J Immunol. 2001 Dec 1;167(11):6559-67. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.11.6559.

Abstract

IL-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine, and its in vivo expression induces neutrophilia in mice. IL-17E is a recently described member of an emerging family of IL-17-related cytokines. IL-17E has been shown to bind IL-17Rh1, a protein distantly related to the IL-17R, suggesting that IL-17E probably possesses unique biological functions. In this study, we have identified the murine ortholog of IL-17E and developed transgenic mice to characterize its actions in vivo. Biological consequences of overexpression of murine (m)IL-17E, both unique to IL-17E and similar to IL-17, were revealed. Exposure to mIL-17E resulted in a Th2-biased response, characterized by eosinophilia, increased serum IgE and IgG1, and a Th2 cytokine profile including elevated serum levels of IL-13 and IL-5 and elevated gene expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 was observed in many tissues. Increased gene expression of IFN-gamma in several tissues and elevated serum TNF-alpha were also noted. In addition, IL-17E induces G-CSF production in vitro and mIL-17E-transgenic mice had increased serum G-CSF and exhibit neutrophilia, a property shared by IL-17. Moreover, exposure to mIL-17E elicited pathological changes in multiple tissues, particularly liver, heart, and lungs, characterized by mixed inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial hyperplasia, and hypertrophy. Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-17E is a unique pleiotropic cytokine and may be an important mediator of inflammatory and immune responses.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis
  • Chemokine CXCL1
  • Chemokines, CXC*
  • Chemotactic Factors / biosynthesis
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Cytokines / genetics*
  • Cytokines / isolation & purification
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Eosinophilia / genetics
  • Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Growth Disorders / genetics*
  • Growth Disorders / immunology*
  • Growth Substances / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
  • Interleukin-13 / blood
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-17 / isolation & purification
  • Interleukin-17 / physiology
  • Interleukin-5 / blood
  • Jaundice / enzymology
  • Jaundice / genetics*
  • Jaundice / immunology*
  • Leukocytosis / genetics
  • Leukocytosis / immunology
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / pathology
  • Organ Specificity / genetics
  • Organ Specificity / immunology
  • Rats
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • CXCL1 protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Chemokine CXCL1
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Chemotactic Factors
  • Cxcl1 protein, mouse
  • Cxcl1 protein, rat
  • Cytokines
  • Growth Substances
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-5
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Immunoglobulin E

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY034088