Identification of an IL-27/osteopontin axis in dendritic cells and its modulation by IFN-gamma limits IL-17-mediated autoimmune inflammation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Jun 22;107(25):11495-500. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1002099107. Epub 2010 Jun 7.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in determining the induction of T cell responses. IL-27 production by DCs favors induction of IL-10-producing regulatory T cells, whereas osteopontin (OPN) promotes pathogenic IL-17 T cell responses. The regulatory mechanisms in DCs that control these two cells types are not understood well. Here, we show that IFN-gamma induces IL-27 while inhibiting OPN expression in DCs both in vitro and in vivo and that engagement of IFN-gammaR expressed by DCs leads to suppression of IL-17 production while inducing IL-10 from T cells. DCs modified by IFN-gamma acquire IL-27-dependent regulatory function, promote IL-10-mediated T cell tolerance, and suppress autoimmune inflammation. Thus, our results identify a previously unknown pathway by which IFN-gamma limits IL-17-mediated autoimmune inflammation through differential regulation of OPN and IL-27 expression in DCs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / metabolism*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Osteopontin / metabolism*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Phenotype
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Peptides
  • Osteopontin
  • Interferon-gamma