IL-27 production and STAT3-dependent upregulation of B7-H1 mediate immune regulatory functions of liver plasmacytoid dendritic cells

J Immunol. 2012 Jun 1;188(11):5227-37. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103382. Epub 2012 Apr 16.

Abstract

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are highly specialized APCs that, in addition to their well-recognized role in anti-viral immunity, also regulate immune responses. Liver-resident pDCs are considerably less immunostimulatory than those from secondary lymphoid tissues and are equipped to promote immune tolerance/regulation through various mechanisms. IL-27 is an IL-12 family cytokine that regulates the function of both APCs and T cells, although little is known about its role in pDC immunobiology. In this study, we show that mouse liver pDCs express higher levels of IL-27p28 and EBV-induced protein 3 (Ebi3) compared with those of splenic pDCs. Both populations of pDCs express the IL-27Rα/WSX-1; however, only liver pDCs significantly upregulate expression of the coregulatory molecule B7 homolog-1 (B7-H1) in response to IL-27. Inhibition of STAT3 activation completely abrogates IL-27-induced upregulation of B7-H1 expression on liver pDCs. Liver pDCs treated with IL-27 increase the percentage of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in MLR, which is dependent upon expression of B7-H1. pDCs from Ebi3-deficient mice lacking functional IL-27 show increased capacity to stimulate allogeneic T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production in MLR. Liver but not spleen pDCs suppress delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to OVA, an effect that is lost with Ebi3(-/-) and B7-H1(-/-) liver pDCs compared with wild-type liver pDCs. These data suggest that IL-27 signaling in pDCs promotes their immunoregulatory function and that IL-27 produced by pDCs contributes to their capacity to regulate immune responses in vitro and in vivo.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B7-H1 Antigen / biosynthesis*
  • B7-H1 Antigen / deficiency
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / genetics
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / pathology
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Ovalbumin / physiology
  • Receptors, Cytokine / biosynthesis
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / immunology*

Substances

  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Cd274 protein, mouse
  • Ebi3 protein, mouse
  • Il27 protein, mouse
  • Interleukins
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Ovalbumin