|
|
||||||||
CUTTING EDGE |

* Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104; and
Department of Inflammation Research, Amgen, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
| Abstract |
|---|
|
|
|---|
production and resistance to Leishmania major are impaired in the absence of WSX-1 signaling, WSX-1−/− mice generate robust IFN-
responses and control infection with other intracellular protozoan pathogens. In this report, we resolve these conflicting observations and demonstrate that, in the absence of IL-4, WSX-1 is not required for early IFN-
production and control of L. major. Thus, the requirement for WSX-1 signaling in Th type 1 cell differentiation is restricted to conditions in which IL-4 is produced. | Introduction |
|---|
|
|
|---|
production, including expression of T-bet, remodeling of the IFN-
gene, and expression of IL-12R
2 (1). Recent studies demonstrated that the class I cytokine receptor WSX-1 has structural and functional homology to the IL-6/IL-12 receptor family (2, 3, 4). The ligand for WSX-1 is IL-27, a heterodimeric cytokine composed of EBI3 (an IL-12p40-related protein) and p28 (an IL-12p35-related protein) (5). The similarities between IL-12/IL-12R and IL-27/WSX-1 predicted a role for the latter pathway in the differentiation of CD4+ Th1 cells. Supporting this hypothesis, WSX-1 signaling induces STAT-1-dependent expression of T-bet and primes naive CD4+ T cells for IL-12-dependent IFN-
production (5, 6), whereas WSX-1−/− mice have defects in IFN-
production (3, 4).
However, the requirement for WSX-1 in Th1 cell development is controversial. For instance, WSX-1−/− mice are more susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes and Leishmania major, two pathogens that are controlled by Th1 cytokine responses (3, 4). In contrast, we and others (7, 8) have demonstrated that WSX-1−/− mice can generate robust IFN-
responses following infection with the intracellular pathogens Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosma cruzi. To investigate the basis for these paradoxical results, we re-examined the role of the WSX-1 pathway in Th1 cell development and immunity to L. major infection. WSX-1−/− mice generated low levels of IFN-
early, but equivalent Leishmania-specific IFN-
responses to WT mice later in infection, and, in contrast to published studies, successfully controlled parasite replication and resolved cutaneous lesions. Therefore, susceptibility to leishmaniasis in WSX-1−/− mice was restricted to the early stages of this infection, coincident with the production of Leishmania-specific IL-4. Furthermore, administration of anti-IL-4 mAb in the first 4 wk of infection abrogated the requirement for WSX-1 in early IFN-
production and control of infection, demonstrating that the presence of IL-4 regulates the requirement for WSX-1 in Th1 cell development.
| Materials and Methods |
|---|
|
|
|---|
WSX-1−/− mice were generated as previously described (4) and provided by Dr. C. Saris (Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA). Sex- and age-matched wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice (The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME) were used as controls. In all of the experiments, mice were infected at 58 wk of age, and experimental groups contained three to five animals. Experiments followed the guidelines of the University of Pennsylvania Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
Parasites and Ag
Two million stationary-phase promastigote L. major parasites (MHOM/IL/80/Friedlin) were injected, and lesion size and parasite numbers were determined as previously described (9). Soluble Leishmania Ag (SLA) was prepared as previously described (10).
In vivo depletions
Neutralizing anti-IL-4 mAb (11B11) (National Cancer Institute Biological Resource Branch, Frederick, MD) was administered at 35 mg/dose i.p. every 4 days for the first 4 wk of infection.
Cell culture and cytokine analysis
Lymph node (LN) cells were harvested from L. major-infected mice, and cell suspensions were prepared as previously described (9). In some studies, cells were cultured in the presence of recombinant murine IL-12 (10 ng/ml) (a gift from Drs. S. Wolf and J. Sypek (Wyeth, Cambridge, MA)). For in vitro assays, spleen and LN cells were isolated from naive animals, labeled with CFSE (1.25 µM; Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR), and stimulated for 4 days with soluble anti-CD3 mAb and anti-CD28 mAb (both 1 µg/ml) in the presence or absence recombinant murine IL-12 (10 ng/ml) or anti-IL-4 mAb (11B11; 10 µg/ml). Cytokine production was assayed as previously described (9).
Determination of parasite-specific IgG1
Parasite-specific IgG1 responses were determined by capture ELISA as previously described (11).
Statistical analysis
Significant differences (p < 0.05) between experimental groups were determined using the Mann-Whitney U test.
| Results |
|---|
|
|
|---|
responses and efficient control of parasite replicationTo examine the role of WSX-1 in immunity to L. major, WT and WSX-1−/− mice were infected with L. major, and infection was monitored. Consistent with the results of Yoshida et al. (4), WSX-1−/− mice exhibited enhanced susceptibility to infection compared with WT mice, developing significantly larger lesions and higher parasite burdens in the first 6 wk postinfection (Fig. 1). Surprisingly, later in infection, WSX-1−/− mice resolved their cutaneous lesions (Fig. 1A) and controlled parasite replication (B), demonstrating that the protective role WSX-1 plays following L. major infection is transient.
|
4 days after infection (Fig. 2A) but substantial levels of IL-4 (B), consistent with previous studies (12). However, although WT mice down-regulated this IL-4 response, levels of Leishmania-specific IL-4 were maintained for at least 2 wk in infected WSX-1−/− mice (Fig. 2, A and B). These results suggest that WSX-1 promotes Leishmania-specific Th1 cytokine responses early following infection. By 6 wk postinfection, IL-4 levels decreased in infected WSX-1−/− mice (Fig. 2B), and equivalent levels of Ag-specific IFN-
production were observed in WT and WSX-1−/− mice (A). Furthermore, there was a similar frequency of CD4+ T cells producing IFN-
at 27 wk postinfection (Fig. 2, C and D). The emergence of Leishmania-specific Th1 responses in infected WSX-1−/− mice was consistent with their ability to control infection and resolve their lesions (Fig. 1). Therefore, the requirement for WSX-1 in Th1 cell differentiation and immunity to L. major was restricted to early stages of infection when IL-4 responses are observed.
|
These studies suggest that WSX-1 may not be required for IFN-
production in the absence of IL-4. To directly test this, naive WT and WSX-1−/− lymphocytes were isolated and stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 in the presence of control or anti-IL-4 mAb. Under neutral conditions, the frequency of WT and WSX-1−/− IFN-
+CD4+ T cells was similar, and addition of anti-IL-4 mAb did not significantly affect the percentage of IFN-
-producing cells (data not shown). In contrast, under Th1 conditions, the frequency of WSX-1−/− CD4+ T cells producing IFN-
was lower than that observed in WT cultures (Fig. 3, control). However, blockade of IL-4 resulted in a 47% increase in the frequency of WSX-1−/− CD4+ T cells producing IFN-
compared with control-treated cultures (Fig. 3), although the frequency of IFN-
-positive WSX-1−/− CD4+ T cells was still lower than that observed in WT cultures. The incomplete recovery in IFN-
production in WSX-1−/− CD4+ T cells may be the result of insufficient IL-27 production in these culture conditions or incomplete blockade of IL-4. Nevertheless, blockade of IL-4 clearly resulted in increased WSX-1−/− CD4+ Th1 cell differentiation.
|
Based on our in vitro findings, we hypothesized that in the absence of IL-4 WSX-1 would not be required for Th1 cell differentiation and immunity to L. major. To test this, L. major-infected WSX-1−/− mice were treated with anti-IL-4 mAb for the first 4 wk of infection, which substantially reduced IL-4 production in these mice (data not shown). This treatment did not significantly enhance IFN-
production in WT LN cultures (data not shown). In contrast, LN cells isolated from anti-IL-4 mAb-treated WSX-1−/− mice secreted significantly higher levels of IFN-
compared with untreated WSX-1−/− controls and exhibited enhanced IL-12 responsiveness (Fig. 4A). Moreover, blockade of IL-4 significantly enhanced the frequency of IFN-
-producing CD4+ T cells (Fig. 4B) and reduced Leishmania-specific serum IgG1 responses in infected WSX-1−/− mice (C). The expression of WSX-1-independent Th1 responses in the absence of IL-4 (Fig. 4, A and B) was reflected in the ability of anti-IL-4 mAb-treated WSX-1−/− mice to resolve lesions (D) and control parasite replication (E). Taken together, these studies demonstrate that, in the absence of IL-4, WSX-1 is not required for the development of protective Th1 cytokine responses or control of L. major infection.
|
| Discussion |
|---|
|
|
|---|
responses and resolve lesions. Recent studies demonstrated that, in addition to IFN-
R signaling, IL-27-WSX-1 signaling induces STAT-1-dependent expression of T-bet (6). T-bet is a critical transcription factor that promotes Th1 cell development (1, 13, 14, 15, 16). During an immune response characterized by mixed Th1/Th2 cytokine responses (e.g., following L. major infection), optimal induction of Th1 cell differentiation may require combined IFN-
- and IL-27-induced T-bet expression to optimally promote IFN-
transcription, induce expression of IL-12R
2, and inhibit IL-4-induced GATA-3 expression. Supporting this, a recent in vitro study demonstrated that, although IL-27 is not sufficient to drive Th1 cell differentiation, it can suppress GATA-3 expression and promote T-bet induction via STAT1-dependent and -independent mechanisms (17). Based on our results, we propose that in the absence of IL-4-induced GATA-3 expression WSX-1 is dispensable for optimal Th1 cell differentiation.
A conditional role for WSX-1 in Th1 cell differentiation is supported by a number of observations. First, the requirement for WSX-1 in the development of Th1 cytokine responses following L. major infection was restricted to early in infection when significant levels of IL-4 are produced. Second, blockade of IL-4 completely recovered IFN-
production and host defense in infected WSX-1−/− mice. Similarly, anti-IL-4 mAb treatment of WSX-1−/− mice infected with T. cruzi led to increased parasite control, although IFN-
production in anti-IL-4 mAb-treated mice was not assessed (8). Lastly, the frequency of naive WSX-1−/− CD4+ T cells secreting IFN-
following polyclonal stimulation was also significantly higher following anti-IL-4 mAb treatment. Taken together, these studies suggest that WSX-1-dependent promotion of IFN-
production is restricted to a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokine environment.
These results provide an explanation for conflicting reports on the role of IL-27-WSX-1 signaling in Th1 cytokine-dependent immunity to intracellular pathogens. Thus, following infection of B6 mice with L. major in which significant IL-4 responses are induced, WSX-1 expression is essential in the early promotion of IFN-
production. In contrast, following exposure to pathogens such as T. gondii or T. cruzi that induce rapid and robust NK and CD4+ T cell-dependent IFN-
responses in the absence of significant amounts of IL-4, WSX-1 signaling is not necessary for IFN-
production and host defense (7, 8, 18). In fact, fatal infection-induced inflammatory responses develop in these model systems (7, 8). In summary, this report demonstrates that WSX-1-dependent induction of IFN-
is restricted to a nonpolarized cytokine environment in which IL-4 is present.
| Acknowledgments |
|---|
| Footnotes |
|---|
2 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Phillip Scott, Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail address: pscott{at}vet.upenn.edu ![]()
3 Abbreviations used in this paper: Th1, Th type 1; WT, wild type; SLA, soluble Leishmania Ag; LN, lymph node. ![]()
Received for publication December 23, 2003. Accepted for publication February 24, 2004.
| References |
|---|
|
|
|---|
B1 is required for optimal CD4+ Th1 cell development and resistance to Leishmania major. J. Immunol. 170:1995.
B family members in control of helminth infection and intestinal inflammation. J. Immunol. 169:4481.
in lymphoid and myeloid cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:15137.
-interferon and other cytokines in suppression of the spleen cell proliferative response to concanavalin A and toxoplasma antigen during acute toxoplasmosis. Infect. Immun. 63:751.[Abstract]Related articles in The JI:
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
S. Kempe, P. Heinz, E. Kokai, O. Devergne, N. Marx, and T. Wirth Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Gene-3 Is Expressed in Human Atheroma Plaques Am. J. Pathol., July 1, 2009; 175(1): 440 - 447. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. G. Perrigoue, C. Zaph, K. Guild, Y. Du, and D. Artis IL-31-IL-31R Interactions Limit the Magnitude of Th2 Cytokine-Dependent Immunity and Inflammation following Intestinal Helminth Infection J. Immunol., May 15, 2009; 182(10): 6088 - 6094. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. V. Villarino, D. Artis, J. S. Bezbradica, O. Miller, C. J. M. Saris, S. Joyce, and C. A. Hunter IL-27R deficiency delays the onset of colitis and protects from helminth-induced pathology in a model of chronic IBD Int. Immunol., June 1, 2008; 20(6): 739 - 752. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Cao, P. D. Doodes, T. T. Glant, and A. Finnegan IL-27 Induces a Th1 Immune Response and Susceptibility to Experimental Arthritis J. Immunol., January 15, 2008; 180(2): 922 - 930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Maroof and P. M. Kaye Temporal Regulation of Interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) and IL-12-Related Cytokines in Splenic Dendritic Cell Subsets during Leishmania donovani Infection Infect. Immun., January 1, 2008; 76(1): 239 - 249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Yoshimoto, T. Yoshimoto, K. Yasuda, J. Mizuguchi, and K. Nakanishi IL-27 Suppresses Th2 Cell Development and Th2 Cytokines Production from Polarized Th2 Cells: A Novel Therapeutic Way for Th2-Mediated Allergic Inflammation J. Immunol., October 1, 2007; 179(7): 4415 - 4423. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. M. Johnson and P. Scott STAT1 Expression in Dendritic Cells, but Not T Cells, Is Required for Immunity to Leishmania major J. Immunol., June 1, 2007; 178(11): 7259 - 7266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Liu, X. Guan, and X. Ma Regulation of IL-27 p28 gene expression in macrophages through MyD88- and interferon-{gamma}-mediated pathways J. Exp. Med., January 22, 2007; 204(1): 141 - 152. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Owaki, M. Asakawa, F. Fukai, J. Mizuguchi, and T. Yoshimoto IL-27 Induces Th1 Differentiation via p38 MAPK/T-bet- and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/LFA-1/ERK1/2-Dependent Pathways J. Immunol., December 1, 2006; 177(11): 7579 - 7587. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Larousserie, P. Charlot, E. Bardel, J. Froger, R. A. Kastelein, and O. Devergne Differential Effects of IL-27 on Human B Cell Subsets J. Immunol., May 15, 2006; 176(10): 5890 - 5897. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Owaki, M. Asakawa, S. Kamiya, K. Takeda, F. Fukai, J. Mizuguchi, and T. Yoshimoto IL-27 Suppresses CD28-Medicated IL-2 Production through Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3. J. Immunol., March 1, 2006; 176(5): 2773 - 2780. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. V. Villarino, J. S. Stumhofer, C. J. M. Saris, R. A. Kastelein, F. J. de Sauvage, and C. A. Hunter IL-27 Limits IL-2 Production during Th1 Differentiation J. Immunol., January 1, 2006; 176(1): 237 - 247. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. E. Rosas, A. A. Satoskar, K. M. Roth, T. L. Keiser, J. Barbi, C. Hunter, F. J. de Sauvage, and A. R. Satoskar Interleukin-27R (WSX-1/T-Cell Cytokine Receptor) Gene-Deficient Mice Display Enhanced Resistance to Leishmania donovani Infection but Develop Severe Liver Immunopathology Am. J. Pathol., January 1, 2006; 168(1): 158 - 169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Shimizu, N. Sugiyama, K. Masutani, A. Sadanaga, Y. Miyazaki, Y. Inoue, M. Akahoshi, R. Katafuchi, H. Hirakata, M. Harada, et al. Membranous Glomerulonephritis Development with Th2-Type Immune Deviations in MRL/lpr Mice Deficient for IL-27 Receptor (WSX-1) J. Immunol., December 1, 2005; 175(11): 7185 - 7192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Owaki, M. Asakawa, N. Morishima, K. Hata, F. Fukai, M. Matsui, J. Mizuguchi, and T. Yoshimoto A Role for IL-27 in Early Regulation of Th1 Differentiation J. Immunol., August 15, 2005; 175(4): 2191 - 2200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Miyazaki, H. Inoue, M. Matsumura, K. Matsumoto, T. Nakano, M. Tsuda, S. Hamano, A. Yoshimura, and H. Yoshida Exacerbation of Experimental Allergic Asthma by Augmented Th2 Responses in WSX-1-Deficient Mice J. Immunol., August 15, 2005; 175(4): 2401 - 2407. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Holscher, A. Holscher, D. Ruckerl, T. Yoshimoto, H. Yoshida, T. Mak, C. Saris, and S. Ehlers The IL-27 Receptor Chain WSX-1 Differentially Regulates Antibacterial Immunity and Survival during Experimental Tuberculosis J. Immunol., March 15, 2005; 174(6): 3534 - 3544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. Pearl, S. A. Khader, A. Solache, L. Gilmartin, N. Ghilardi, F. deSauvage, and A. M. Cooper IL-27 Signaling Compromises Control of Bacterial Growth in Mycobacteria-Infected Mice J. Immunol., December 15, 2004; 173(12): 7490 - 7496. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Artis, A. Villarino, M. Silverman, W. He, E. M. Thornton, S. Mu, S. Summer, T. M. Covey, E. Huang, H. Yoshida, et al. The IL-27 Receptor (WSX-1) Is an Inhibitor of Innate and Adaptive Elements of Type 2 Immunity J. Immunol., November 1, 2004; 173(9): 5626 - 5634. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. V. Villarino, E. Huang, and C. A. Hunter Understanding the Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of IL-27 J. Immunol., July 15, 2004; 173(2): 715 - 720. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |