Gutcher I, Urich E, Wolter K, Prinz M, Becher B. Interleukin 18-independent engagement of interleukin 18 receptor-alpha is required for autoimmune inflammation.
Nat Immunol 2006;
7:946-53. [PMID:
16906165 DOI:
10.1038/ni1377]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2006] [Accepted: 07/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
T helper type 1 (T(H)1) lymphocytes are considered to be the main pathogenic cell type responsible for organ-specific autoimmune inflammation. As interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a cofactor with IL-12 in promoting T(H)1 cell development, we examined the function of IL-18 and its receptor, IL-18R, in autoimmune central nervous system inflammation. Similar to IL-12-deficient mice, IL-18-deficient mice were susceptible to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. In contrast, IL-18R alpha-deficient mice were resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, indicating involvement of an IL-18R alpha ligand other than IL-18 with encephalitogenic properties. Moreover, engagement of IL-18R alpha on antigen-presenting cells was required for the generation of pathogenic IL-17-producing T helper cells. Thus, IL-18 and T(H)1 cells are dispensable, whereas IL-18R alpha and IL-17-producing T helper cells are required, for autoimmune central nervous system inflammation.
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