Role of IL-31 in regulation of Th2 cytokine levels in patients with nasal polyps

Correlation of IL-31 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility and clinical recurrence of bladder cancer

Interleukin-31 is a crucial cytokine triggering inflammation which could be one of the risk factors of tumors. However, data for correlation between IL-31 and tumors are limited. The purpose of our study was to discuss whether genetic polymorphisms of IL-31 were associated with the susceptibility and clinical outcomes of bladder cancer. Our study enrolled 478 controls, 156 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and 138 muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used for genotyping two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-31 gene including rs7977932 and rs4758680. Our results showed that A allele and CA/AA genotypes of rs4758680 were associated with susceptibility to bladder cancer (P = 0.04, OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.72, and P = 0.02, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05-1.96, respectively), and G allele of rs7977932 might be a protect factor for tobacco smoking patients compared with non-smoking patients (P = 0.005, OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.76). Furthermore, CA/AA genotypes of rs4758680 might be the independent risk factors for the decreased recurrence-free survival of the patients with MIBC (P = 0.03, OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.06-3.85. Our data indicated that polymorphisms of IL-31 are associated with bladder cancer, and rs4758680 could be an independent prediction for MIBC patients with a high risk of recurrence.

Multiple Sclerosis and Obesity: Possible Roles of Adipokines

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the Central Nervous System that has been associated with several environmental factors, such as diet and obesity. The possible link between MS and obesity has become more interesting in recent years since the discovery of the remarkable properties of adipose tissue. Once MS is initiated, obesity can contribute to increased disease severity by negatively influencing disease progress and treatment response, but, also, obesity in early life is highly relevant as a susceptibility factor and causally related risk for late MS development. The aim of this review was to discuss recent evidence about the link between obesity, as a chronic inflammatory state, and the pathogenesis of MS as a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease. First, we describe the main cells involved in MS pathogenesis, both from neural tissue and from the immune system, and including a new participant, the adipocyte, focusing on their roles in MS. Second, we concentrate on the role of several adipokines that are able to participate in the mediation of the immune response in MS and on the possible cross talk between the latter. Finally, we explore recent therapy that involves the transplantation of adipocyte precursor cells for the treatment of MS.

Potential diagnostic value of serum/pleural fluid IL-31 levels for tuberculous pleural effusion

The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic value of IL-31 levels in the pleural fluid and plasma to differentially diagnose tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion. We enrolled 91 cases, including tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE, n = 50), malignant pleural effusion (MPE, n = 41), other cases including pneumonia with pleural fluid, pulmonary tuberculosis and healthy people as controls. Whole blood was stimulated with the M. tuberculosis-specific antigens and plasma was collected. The multiplex bead-based cytokine immunoassay was employed to measure the levels of various cytokines. IL-31 was found to be the most prominent cytokine (P < 0.0001), and with an optimal cut-off value of 67.5 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of TPE were 86% and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, the tuberculosis-specific IL-31 levels in the plasma of TPE patients were higher than that of MPE patients (P = 0.0002). At an optimal cut-off value of 23.9 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of TPE were 92.9% and 85.7%, respectively. Ultimately, the combination of pleural fluid with the plasma tuberculosis-specific IL-31 levels improved the sensitivity and specificity to 94.0% and 95.1%, respectively. Thus, we identified a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of TPE for clinical application.

The Transforming Growth Factor β1/Interleukin-31 Pathway Is Upregulated in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure and Is Associated with Disease Severity and Survival

The transforming growth factor β1/interleukin-31 (TGF-β1/IL-31) pathway plays an important role in the process of cell injury and inflammation. The purpose of this work was to explore the role of the TGF-β1/IL-31 pathway in the cytopathic process of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The quantitative serum levels of TGF-β1, IL-9, IL-10, IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, IL-31, IL-33, and IL-35 were analyzed among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients (n = 17), ACLF patients (n = 18), and normal control (NC) subjects (n = 18). Disease severity in patients with ACLF was assessed using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and Child-Pugh scores. Serum TGF-β1 levels were strongly positively correlated with IL-31 in all subjects, and both of them were positively correlated with IL-17, IL-22, and IL-33. In CHB and ACLF patients, serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-31 were both increased significantly compared with those in NC subjects and positively correlated with total bilirubin (TBil) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. ACLF patients showed the highest levels of TGF-β1 and IL-31, which were positively correlated with Child-Pugh scores. Furthermore, the recovery from the liver injury in CHB was accompanied by decreased TGF-β1 and IL-31 levels. More importantly, serum levels of TGF-β1 and IL-31 were markedly upregulated in ACLF nonsurvivors, and IL-31 displayed the highest sensitivity and specificity (85.7% and 100.0%, respectively) in predicting nonsurvival of ACLF patients. Increasing activity of the TGF-β1/IL-31 pathway is well correlated with the extent of liver injury, disease severity, and nonsurvival of ACLF patients, while reducing activity is detected along the recovery from liver injury in CHB, suggesting its potential role in the pathogenesis of liver injury during chronic HBV infection.

Elevated TGF-β1/IL-31 Pathway Is Associated with the Disease Severity of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Cirrhosis

The proinflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin (IL)-31 have been implicated in tissue injury. However, whether TGF-β1/IL-31 are stimulated and elevated in response to liver injury that leads to fibrogenesis in hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) remains unclear. To investigate the association between TGF-β1/IL-31 and stages of chronic HBV infection, serum TGF-β1, IL-9, IL-10,IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, IL-31, IL-33, and IL-35 were determined among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; n=19), HBV-LC (n=20), and a normal control population (NC; n=18). Disease severity in patients with HBV-LC was assessed using model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores. Serum TGF-β1 and IL-31 levels were strongly positively linked in all subjects, and both correlated positively with IL-22, IL-33, and IL-17. TGF-β1 and IL-31 levels in the blood were both significantly higher in CHB and HBV-LC patients than in NC subjects. Elevated serum TGF-β1 and IL-31 levels were positively associated with albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, creatinine, white blood cell count, and platelet levels. Serum TGF-β1 and IL-31 were markedly higher in HBV-LC patients who did not have esophageal varices, and IL-31 had the highest sensitivity and specificity (90.9% and 66.7%, respectively) for indicating the absence of this complication. In summary, TGF-β1 and IL-31 were linked to progression from CHB to LC, and correlated well with the severity of HBV-LC. These findings suggest possible roles of the TGF-β1/IL-31 pathway in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis during chronic HBV infection.

NFAT1 and JunB Cooperatively Regulate IL-31 Gene Expression in CD4+ T Cells in Health and Disease

IL-31 is a key mediator of itching in atopic dermatitis (AD) and is preferentially produced by activated CD4+ T cells and Th2 cells. Although pathophysiological functions of IL-31 have been suggested in diverse immune disorders, the molecular events underlying IL-31 gene regulation are still unclear. In this study we identified the transcription start site and functional promoter involved in IL-31 gene regulation in mouse CD4+ T cells. TCR stimulation–dependent IL-31 expression was found to be closely linked with in vivo binding of NFAT1 and JunB to the IL-31 promoter. Although NFAT1 alone enhanced IL-31 promoter activity, it was further enhanced in the presence of JunB. Conversely, knockdown of either NFAT1 or JunB resulted in reduced IL-31 expression. NFAT1-deficient CD4+ T cells showed a significant defect in IL-31 expression compared with wild-type CD4+ T cells. In agreement with these findings, mice subjected to atopic conditions showed much higher levels of IL-31, which were closely correlated with a significant increase in the number of infiltrated NFAT1+CD4+ T cells into the AD ears. Amelioration of AD progression by cyclosporin A treatment was well correlated with downregulation of IL-31 expressions in CD4+ T cells and total ear residual cells. In summary, our results suggest a functional cooperation between NFAT1 and JunB in mediating IL-31 gene expression in CD4+ T cells and indicate that interference with this interaction or their activity has the potential of reducing IL-31–mediated AD symptoms.

IL-31 associated with coronary artery lesion formation in Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is known to be associated with T help (Th) 2 reaction and subsequently allergic diseases. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) has also been reported to be involved in Th2 mediated diseases such as allergic diseases. However, the role of IL-31 in KD has not been previously reported. The aim of this study is to investigate whether IL-31 is associated with KD and its clinical outcome.

MATERIAL

A total of 78 KD patients who met the criteria of KD were enrolled in this study as well as 20 age-matched controls. Plasma samples were conducted to measure IL-31 before intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment (KD1), within 3 days after IVIG treatment (KD2) and at least 3 weeks after IVIG treatment (KD3) by utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULT

Our findings showed that IL-31 expression was higher in KD patients after IVIG treatment significantly (KD2>KD1: 1265.0±199.3 vs. 840.2±152.5 pg/ml, p<0.0001). Further analysis revealed that IL-31 level was significantly higher in KD patients with coronary artery lesion (CAL) (656.6±139.5 vs. 1373.0±422.0 pg/ml, p = 0.04) before IVIG treatment (KD1). There were no significant differences between the IVIG resistance and IVIG responsiveness groups.

CONCLUSION

IL-31 was increased after IVIG treatment in patients with KD and was significantly associated with CAL formation. The results from this study may help to identify a novel risk factor for predicting KD and CAL formation.