WSX-1 and glycoprotein 130 constitute a signal-transducing receptor for IL-27

J Immunol. 2004 Feb 15;172(4):2225-31. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.4.2225.

Abstract

The recently discovered cytokine IL-27 belongs to the IL-6/IL-12 family of cytokines and induced proliferation of naive CD4(+) T cells and the generation of a Th1-type adaptive immune response. Although binding of IL-27 to the cytokine receptor WSX-1 was demonstrated, this interaction proved insufficient to mediate cellular effects. Hence, IL-27 was believed to form a heteromeric signaling receptor complex with WSX-1 and another, yet to be identified, cytokine receptor subunit. In this study, we describe that WSX-1 together with gp130 constitutes a functional signal-transducing receptor for IL-27. We show that neither of the two subunits itself is sufficient to mediate IL-27-induced signal transduction, but that the combination of both is required for this event. Expression analysis of WSX-1 and gp130 by quantitative PCR suggests that IL-27 might have a variety of cellular targets besides naive CD4(+) T cells: we demonstrate gene induction of a subset of inflammatory cytokines in primary human mast cells and monocytes in response to IL-27 stimulation. Thus, IL-27 not only contributes to the development of an adaptive immune response through its action on CD4(+) T cells, it also directly acts on cells of the innate immune system.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD / physiology*
  • Autocrine Communication / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokine Receptor gp130
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Mast Cells / immunology
  • Mast Cells / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cytokine / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cytokine / physiology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Trans-Activators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Tyrosine / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • IL27RA protein, human
  • IL6ST protein, human
  • Il27 protein, mouse
  • Il27ra protein, mouse
  • Il6st protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukins
  • MYDGF protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Stat1 protein, mouse
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Cytokine Receptor gp130
  • Tyrosine