Lipopolysaccharide-mediated IL-10 transcriptional regulation requires sequential induction of type I IFNs and IL-27 in macrophages

J Immunol. 2010 Dec 1;185(11):6599-607. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002041. Epub 2010 Nov 1.

Abstract

IL-10 is a potent anti-inflammatory molecule that regulates excessive production of inflammatory cytokines during an infection or tissue damage. Dysregulation of IL-10 is associated with a number of autoimmune diseases, and so, understanding the mechanisms by which IL-10 gene expression is regulated remains an important area of study. Macrophages represent a major source of IL-10, which is generated in response to TLR signaling as a feedback mechanism to curtail inflammatory response. In this study, we identify a signaling pathway in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages in which activation of TLR4 by LPS induces the expression of IL-10 through the sequential induction of type I IFNs followed by induction and signaling through IL-27. We demonstrate that IL-27 signaling is required for robust IL-10 induction by LPS and type I IFNs. IL-27 leads directly to transcription of IL-10 through the activation of two required transcription factors, STAT1 and STAT3, which are recruited to the IL-10 promoter. Finally, through systematic functional promoter-reporter analysis, we identify three cis elements within the proximal IL-10 promoter that play an important role in regulating transcription of IL-10 in response to IL-27.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autocrine Communication / genetics
  • Autocrine Communication / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Interferon Type I / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon Type I / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / physiology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Paracrine Communication / genetics
  • Paracrine Communication / immunology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology*
  • Transcriptional Activation / immunology*

Substances

  • Il27 protein, mouse
  • Interferon Type I
  • Interleukins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Interleukin-10