Cutting edge: IL-27 is a potent inducer of IL-10 but not FoxP3 in murine T cells

M Batten, NM Kljavin, J Li, MJ Walter… - The Journal of …, 2008 - journals.aai.org
M Batten, NM Kljavin, J Li, MJ Walter, FJ de Sauvage, N Ghilardi
The Journal of Immunology, 2008journals.aai.org
The cytokine IL-27 is important for restricting inflammation in response to a wide variety of
immune challenges. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-27 induces expression of the anti-
inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. IL-27 relied upon the Th1
transcription factor STAT1 to induce IL-10+ IFN-γ+ FoxP3− Th1 cells, which were recently
shown to be key negative regulators during certain infections. Il27ra−/− mice generated
fewer IL-10+ T cells during both Listeria monocytogenes infection and experimental …
Abstract
The cytokine IL-27 is important for restricting inflammation in response to a wide variety of immune challenges. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-27 induces expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. IL-27 relied upon the Th1 transcription factor STAT1 to induce IL-10+ IFN-γ+ FoxP3− Th1 cells, which were recently shown to be key negative regulators during certain infections. Il27ra−/− mice generated fewer IL-10+ T cells during both Listeria monocytogenes infection and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The data presented here indicate a novel mechanism for the induction of IL-10 expression by T cells and provide a mechanistic basis for the suppressive effects of IL-27.
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