Wolf-Dietrich Doecke

IL-22 Induces Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein in Hepatocytes: A Potential Systemic Role of IL-22 in Crohn’s Disease

Crohn′s disease (CD) is a common, chronic, inflammatory bowel disease characterized by intestinal infiltration of activated immune cells and distortion of the intestinal architecture. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-22, a cytokine that is mainly produced by activated Th1 and Th17 cells, was present in high quantities in the blood of CD patients in contrast to IFN-γ and IL-17. In a mouse colitis model, IL-22 mRNA expression was elevated predominantly in the inflamed intestine but also in the mesenteric lymph nodes. IL-22BP, the soluble receptor for IL-22, demonstrated an affinity to IL-22 that was at least 4-fold higher than its membrane-bound receptor, and its strong constitutive expression in the intestine and lymph nodes was decreased in the inflamed intestine. To investigate the possible role of systemic IL-22 in CD, we then administered IL-22 to healthy mice and found an up-regulation of LPS-binding protein (LBP) blood levels reaching concentrations known to neutralize LPS. This systemic up-regulation was associated with increased hepatic but not renal or pulmonary LBP mRNA levels. IL-22 also enhanced the secretion of LBP in human primary hepatocytes and HepG2 hepatoma cells in vitro. This increase was mainly transcriptionally regulated and synergistic with that of other LBP inducers. Finally, elevated LBP levels were detected in CD patients and the mouse colitis model. These data suggest that systemic IL-22 may contribute to the prevention of systemic inflammation provoked by LPS present in the blood of CD patients through its induction of hepatic LBP.

Interleukin (IL)-19, IL-20 and IL-24 are produced by and act on keratinocytes and are distinct from classical ILs

Abstract:  Due to their structural similarity, interleukin (IL)‐19, IL‐20, IL‐22, IL‐24 and IL‐26 were combined with IL‐10 in the so‐called IL‐10 family. To expand the knowledge on IL‐19, IL‐20 and IL‐24, we systematically and quantitatively analysed the expression of these mediators and their receptor chains in vitro and in vivo under various conditions and in comparison with other IL‐10 family members. In vitro, IL‐19, IL‐20 and IL‐24 were produced not only by activated immune cells, particularly monocytes, but also to a similar extent by keratinocytes. IL‐1β increased the expression of these mediators 1000‐fold (IL‐19) and 10‐fold (IL‐20 and IL‐24) in keratinocytes. In vivo, these cytokines were expressed preferentially in inflamed tissues. The absence of either R1 chain for the two types of receptor complexes for these cytokines (IL‐20R1/IL‐20R2 and IL‐22R1/IL‐20R2) on immune cells implies that they cannot act on these cells. In fact, IL‐19, IL‐20 and IL‐24 did not induce activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) molecules in immune cells. Instead, several tissues, particularly the skin, tissues from the reproductive and respiratory systems, and various glands appeared to be the main targets of these mediators. Keratinocytes expressed both receptor complexes; however, the expression of IL‐22R1 was 10 times higher than that of IL‐20R1. Interferon‐γ further increased the expression of IL‐22R1 and decreased that of IL‐20R1, suggesting that under T1 cytokine conditions these mediators primarily affect keratinocytes via the IL‐22R1/IL‐20R2 complex. In summary, these data support the notion that IL‐19, IL‐20 and IL‐24 are distinct from classical ILs and constitute a separate subfamily of mediators within the IL‐10 family.

The identification of a small molecule inhibitor that specifically reduces T cell-mediated adaptive but not LPS-mediated innate immunity by T cell membrane–monocyte contact bioassay

Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFalpha and IL-1beta are produced in lesional skin of chronic plaque psoriasis patients, and at other sites of chronic inflammation such as arthritic joints. They play vital roles in maintaining inflammation. It has recently been suggested that activated T cell contact-mediated monocyte activation, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines, contributes to the pathogenesis of psoriasis and other chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Using a T cell membrane-monocyte contact bioassay, we have identified small molecule antagonists that differentially block anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activated T cell-mediated, but not LPS-stimulated, TNFalpha production from monocytes. We selected several kinase inhibitors from the Berlex/Schering kinase library and tested the effect of these compounds in blocking TNFalpha production in the T cell membrane-monocyte contact bioassay. We have demonstrated that one compound BLX-1, from a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor project, inhibited T cell-mediated TNFalpha production from monocytes by about 80%, without any effect on TNFalpha production from LPS-stimulated monocytes. Other BLX-1 analogs showed 32-83% inhibition of TNFalpha production with LPS stimulation as compared to almost 100% inhibition of T cell-mediated TNFalpha production. In contrast, PKC inhibitors BLX-5, Go6983, and Ro-31-8220, inhibited TNFalpha production from both activated T cell membrane- and LPS-stimulated monocytes to the same extent (in the range of 50-100% inhibition). Therefore, the activated T cell membrane-monocyte contact bioassay can be used to screen small molecule antagonists that specifically target adaptive but not LPS-mediated innate immunity. Small molecule TNFalpha inhibitors interfering specifically with activated T cell contact-mediated TNFalpha production from monocytes, but not with LPS-mediated TNFalpha production of myeloid cells, are predicted to have an improved side-effect profile and thus may provide more favorable therapeutics for the treatment of T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.