IL-9 as a mediator of Th17-driven inflammatory disease

J Exp Med. 2009 Aug 3;206(8):1653-60. doi: 10.1084/jem.20090246. Epub 2009 Jul 13.

Abstract

We report that like other T cells cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta, Th17 cells also produce interleukin (IL) 9. Th17 cells generated in vitro with IL-6 and TGF-beta as well as purified ex vivo Th17 cells both produced IL-9. To determine if IL-9 has functional consequences in Th17-mediated inflammatory disease, we evaluated the role of IL-9 in the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. The data show that IL-9 neutralization and IL-9 receptor deficiency attenuates disease, and this correlates with decreases in Th17 cells and IL-6-producing macrophages in the central nervous system, as well as mast cell numbers in the regional lymph nodes. Collectively, these data implicate IL-9 as a Th17-derived cytokine that can contribute to inflammatory disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / etiology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / pathology
  • Female
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-9 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-9 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-9 / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Interleukin-9 / deficiency
  • Receptors, Interleukin-9 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-9 / immunology
  • Spinal Cord / immunology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / classification
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / classification
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • Il9r protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-9
  • Receptors, Interleukin-9