IL-27 limits IL-2 production during Th1 differentiation

J Immunol. 2006 Jan 1;176(1):237-47. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.1.237.

Abstract

Although the ability of IL-27 to promote T cell responses is well documented, the anti-inflammatory properties of this cytokine remain poorly understood. The current work demonstrates that during infection with Toxoplasma gondii, IL-27R-deficient mice generate aberrant IL-2 responses that are associated with the development of a lethal inflammatory disease. Because in vivo depletion of IL-2 prolongs the survival of infected IL-27R-/- mice, these data suggest that IL-27 curbs the development of immunopathology by limiting parasite-induced IL-2 production. Consistent with this hypothesis, IL-27R-/- CD4+ T cells produce more IL-2 than wild-type counterparts during in vitro differentiation, and when rIL-27 is introduced, it can suppress the expression of IL-2 mRNA and protein by the latter group. Additionally, these studies reveal that, like IL-27, IL-12 can inhibit IL-2 production, and although each employs distinct mechanisms, they can synergize to enhance the effect. In contrast, this property is not shared by closely related cytokines IL-6 and IL-23. Thus, while traditionally viewed as proinflammatory agents, the present findings establish that IL-27 and IL-12 cooperate to limit the availability of IL-2, a potent T cell growth and survival factor. Moreover, because the current studies demonstrate that both can induce expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, a protein that tempers cytokine receptor signaling, they also suggest that IL-27 and IL-12 share additionally inhibitory properties.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Interleukin-12 / immunology
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Interleukins / immunology*
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Th1 Cells / cytology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Toxoplasma
  • Toxoplasmosis / immunology*

Substances

  • Il27 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukins
  • Interleukin-12