Interleukin 25 regulates type 2 cytokine-dependent immunity and limits chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract

J Exp Med. 2006 Apr 17;203(4):843-9. doi: 10.1084/jem.20051496. Epub 2006 Apr 10.

Abstract

The cytokine interleukin (IL) 25 has been implicated in the initiation of type 2 immunity by driving the expression of type 2 cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-13, although its role in the regulation of immunity and infection-induced inflammation is unknown. Here, we identify a dual function for IL-25: first, in promoting type 2 cytokine-dependent immunity to gastrointestinal helminth infection and, second, in limiting proinflammatory cytokine production and chronic intestinal inflammation. Treatment of genetically susceptible mice with exogenous IL-25 promoted type 2 cytokine responses and immunity to Trichuris. IL-25 was constitutively expressed by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the gut of mouse strains that are resistant to Trichuris, and IL-25-deficient mice on a genetically resistant background failed to develop a type 2 immune response or eradicate infection. Furthermore, chronically infected IL-25(-/-) mice developed severe infection-induced intestinal inflammation associated with heightened expression of interferon-gamma and IL-17, identifying a role for IL-25 in limiting pathologic inflammation at mucosal sites. Therefore, IL-25 is not only a critical mediator of type 2 immunity, but is also required for the regulation of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cytokines / classification*
  • Cytokines / physiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / parasitology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology*
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / parasitology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Interleukins / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred AKR
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Trichuriasis / drug therapy
  • Trichuriasis / immunology*
  • Trichuris / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukins
  • Mydgf protein, mouse
  • Recombinant Proteins