Interleukin-25 induces pulmonary arterial remodeling via natural killer T cell-dependent mechanisms

Background: Recent studies have shown that prolonged Th2-type immune inflammation in the lung induces pulmonary arterial remodeling, in part through the induction of resistin-like molecule α (RELMα) expression. However, the role of interleukin-25 (IL-25; which promotes this inflammation) in the development of the pulmonary arterial remodeling remains unknown.

Methods: Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized C57BL/6 mice were challenged with OVA inhalation 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The effects of neutralizing anti-IL-25 antibody on OVA-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling and RELMα expression in the lung were examined. The pulmonary arterial remodeling and RELMα expression in the lung were examined in lung-specific IL-25 transgenic mice (CC10 IL-25 mice) and CC10 IL-25 mice in a natural killer T (NKT) cell-deficient background (CC10 IL-25 NKT(-/-) mice).

Results: Repeated OVA inhalation induced pulmonary arterial wall thickening and the expression of IL-25 and RELMα mRNA in the lung in OVA-sensitized mice. Injection of neutralizing anti-IL-25 antibody inhibited OVA-induced pulmonary arterial wall thickening and RELMα expression in the lung. CC10 IL-25 mice, but not CC10 IL-25 NKT(-/-) mice, spontaneously developed pulmonary arterial wall thickening and RELMα expression in the lung at 6 months of age.

Conclusions: Prolonged expression of IL-25 in the lung induces pulmonary arterial wall thickening by NKT cell-dependent mechanisms.