Cutting edge: generation of IL-18 receptor-deficient mice: evidence for IL-1 receptor-related protein as an essential IL-18 binding receptor

J Immunol. 1999 May 1;162(9):5041-4.

Abstract

IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in NK cell activation and Th1 cell response. Recently IL-1R-related protein (IL-1Rrp) has been cloned as the receptor for IL-18. However, the functional role of IL-1Rrp is still controversial due to its low affinity to IL-18 as well as the possibility of the presence of another high-affinity binding receptor. In the present study, we have generated and characterized IL-1Rrp-deficient mice. The binding of murine rIL-18 was not detected in Th1-developing splenic CD4+ T cells isolated from IL-1Rrp-deficient mice. The activation of NF-kappa B or c-Jun N-terminal kinase were also not observed in the Th1 cells. NK cells from IL-1Rrp-deficient mice had defects in cytolytic activity and IFN-gamma production in response to IL-18. Th1 cell development was also impaired in IL-1Rrp-deficient mice. These data demonstrate that IL-1Rrp is a ligand-binding receptor that is essential for IL-18-mediated signaling events.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / genetics
  • DNA / immunology
  • Enzyme Activation / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation / immunology
  • Gene Targeting
  • Interleukin-18 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-18 / physiology
  • Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout / genetics
  • Mice, Knockout / immunology*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin / deficiency*
  • Receptors, Interleukin / genetics*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-18
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Th1 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Il18r1 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-18
  • Interleukin-18 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • NF-kappa B
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Receptors, Interleukin-18
  • DNA
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases