IL-4 Induces IL17Rb Gene Transcription in Monocytic Cells with Coordinate Autocrine IL-25 Signaling

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2017 Sep;57(3):346-354. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0316OC.

Abstract

IL-25 and IL-4 signaling in the setting of infection or allergic responses can drive Type 2 inflammation. IL-25 requires the IL-17 receptor B (IL-17Rb) to mediate signaling through nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB) transcriptional activation. Despite the known coexistence of these two cytokines in the Type 2 inflammatory environment, collaborative signaling between the IL-4 and IL-25 axes is poorly explored. Here we demonstrate IL-4 induction of both IL-25 and IL-17Rb protein in human lung tissue culture, primary alveolar macrophages, and the THP-1 monocytic cell line. IL-4 treatment triggers gene transcription for both IL-25 and IL-17Rb but does not alter the receptor mRNA stability. Genetic antagonism of the IL-4 second messenger, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), with small interfering RNA (siRNA) blunts IL-17Rb mRNA induction by IL-4. IL-25 induces signaling through the canonical NF-κB pathway, and STAT6 or NF-κB signaling inhibitors prevent IL-17Rb expression. Blockade of IL-25 with monoclonal antibody suppresses NF-κB activation after IL-4 treatment, and IL-4-mediated induction of IL-17Rb is suppressed by IL-25 siRNA. IL-25 and IL-17Rb promoter regions harbor putative NF-κB and STAT6 consensus sites, and chromatin immunoprecipitation identified these transcription factors in complex with the IL-17Rb 5' untranslated region. In bronchoalveolar lavage RNA preparations, IL-25 and IL-17Rb mRNA transcripts are increased in asthmatics compared with healthy control subjects, and IL-25 transcript abundance correlates strongly with IL-4 mRNA levels. Thus, these results indicate that IL-4 signaling up-regulates the IL-25 axis in human monocytic cells, and that IL-25 may provide autocrine signals in monocytes and macrophages to sustain IL-17Rb expression and predispose to alternative activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Autocrine Communication / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / metabolism
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / genetics*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Interleukin-4