IL-17A inhibits the expansion of IL-17A-producing T cells in mice through "short-loop" inhibition via IL-17 receptor

J Immunol. 2008 Jul 15;181(2):1357-64. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.2.1357.

Abstract

IL-23 and IL-17A regulate granulopoiesis through G-CSF, the main granulopoietic cytokine. IL-23 is secreted by activated macrophages and dendritic cells and promotes the expansion of three subsets of IL-17A-expressing neutrophil-regulatory T (Tn) cells; CD4(-)CD8(-)alphabeta(low), CD4(+)CD8(-)alphabeta(+) (Th17), and gammadelta(+) T cells. In this study, we investigate the effects of IL-17A on circulating neutrophil levels using IL-17R-deficient (Il17ra(-/-)) mice and Il17ra(-/-)Itgb2(-/-) mice that lack both IL-17R and all four beta(2) integrins. IL-17R deficiency conferred a reduction in neutrophil numbers and G-CSF levels, as did Ab blockade against IL-17A in wild-type mice. Bone marrow transplantation revealed that IL-17R expression on nonhemopoietic cells had the greatest effects on regulating blood neutrophil counts. Although circulating neutrophil numbers were reduced, IL-17A expression, secretion, and the number of IL-17A-producing Tn cells were elevated in Il17ra(-/-) and Il17ra(-/-)Itgb2(-/-) mice, suggesting a negative feedback effect through IL-17R. The negative regulation of IL-17A-producing T cells and IL-17A and IL-17F gene expression through the interactions of IL-17A or IL-17F with IL-17R was confirmed in splenocyte cultures in vitro. We conclude that IL-17A regulates blood neutrophil counts by inducing G-CSF production mainly in nonhemopoietic cells. IL-17A controls the expansion of IL-17A-producing Tn cell populations through IL-17R.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Polarity
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / immunology
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-23 / immunology
  • Interleukin-23 / metabolism*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / physiology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / deficiency
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-23
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor