Interleukin-20 targets renal mesangial cells and is associated with lupus nephritis

Clin Immunol. 2008 Nov;129(2):277-85. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2008.07.006. Epub 2008 Sep 3.

Abstract

Lupus nephritis is one manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interleukin (IL)-10 is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. To determine whether IL-20, a member of the IL-10 family, is associated with lupus nephritis, we analyzed the expression of IL-20 and its receptors in mesangial cells derived from SLE-prone, NZB/W, and DBA/W mice. IL-20 and its receptors were upregulated in mesangial cells from NZB/W mice. Incubating IL-20 with mesangial cells upregulated the transcripts of CCL2 (MCP-1), CCL5 (RANTES), CXCL10 (IP-10), IL-6, iNOS, and ROS, all of which are involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. IL-20 specifically activated the downstream signal ERK 1/2. We also detected human IL-20 protein in both mesangial cells and inflammatory cells in kidney biopsies of patients with lupus nephritis. Our results reveal the novel effects of IL-20 on mesangial cells and its association with lupus nephritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokines / biosynthesis
  • Child
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Lupus Nephritis / etiology*
  • Male
  • Mesangial Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Inbred NZB
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / biosynthesis
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • interleukin 20