Interleukin-25: a cytokine linking eosinophils and adaptive immunity in Churg-Strauss syndrome

Blood. 2010 Nov 25;116(22):4523-31. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-02-267542. Epub 2010 Aug 20.

Abstract

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is characterized by systemic vasculitis and blood and tissue eosinophilia. Blood eosinophilia correlates with disease activity, and activated T cells from CSS patients are predominantly T helper 2 (Th2). Interleukin (IL)-25 has been shown to link innate and adaptive immunity by enhancing Th2 cytokine production. We sought to determine the involvement of IL-25 and its receptor IL-17RB in the pathogenesis of CSS. We found increased levels of IL-25 in the serum of active CSS patients (952 ± 697 vs 75 ± 49 pg/mL in inactive patients and 47 ± 6 pg/mL in healthy donors). IL-25 was correlated with disease activity and eosinophil level. Eosinophils were the main source of IL-25, whereas activated CD4(+) memory T cells were the IL-17RB-expressing cells in CSS. IL-25 enhanced the production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 by activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. IL-25 and IL-17RB were observed within the vasculitic lesions of patients with CSS, and IL-17RB colocalized with T cells. Increased expression of IL-17RB, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6, and JunB in vasculitic lesions of CSS underscored the IL-25-mediated activation, whereas up-regulation of GATA3 and IL-10 supported Th2 differentiation. Our findings suggest that eosinophils, through the production of IL-25, exert a critical role in promoting Th2 responses in target tissues of CSS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / genetics
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / immunology*
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / pathology
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / blood
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Interleukin / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17
  • Vasculitis / genetics
  • Vasculitis / immunology
  • Vasculitis / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • IL17RB protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17