[HTML][HTML] Unique CD14+ intestinal macrophages contribute to the pathogenesis of Crohn disease via IL-23/IFN-γ axis

N Kamada, T Hisamatsu, S Okamoto… - The Journal of …, 2008 - Am Soc Clin Investig
N Kamada, T Hisamatsu, S Okamoto, H Chinen, T Kobayashi, T Sato, A Sakuraba
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2008Am Soc Clin Investig
Intestinal macrophages play a central role in regulation of immune responses against
commensal bacteria. In general, intestinal macrophages lack the expression of innate-
immune receptor CD14 and do not produce proinflammatory cytokines against commensal
bacteria. In this study, we identified what we believe to be a unique macrophage subset in
human intestine. This subset expressed both macrophage (CD14, CD33, CD68) and DC
markers (CD205, CD209) and produced larger amounts of proinflammatory cytokines, such …
Intestinal macrophages play a central role in regulation of immune responses against commensal bacteria. In general, intestinal macrophages lack the expression of innate-immune receptor CD14 and do not produce proinflammatory cytokines against commensal bacteria. In this study, we identified what we believe to be a unique macrophage subset in human intestine. This subset expressed both macrophage (CD14, CD33, CD68) and DC markers (CD205, CD209) and produced larger amounts of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-23, TNF-α, and IL-6, than typical intestinal resident macrophages (CD14CD33+ macrophages). In patients with Crohn disease (CD), the number of these CD14+ macrophages were significantly increased compared with normal control subjects. In addition to increased numbers of cells, these cells also produced larger amounts of IL-23 and TNF-α compared with those in normal controls or patients with ulcerative colitis. In addition, the CD14+ macrophages contributed to IFN-γ production rather than IL-17 production by lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) dependent on IL-23 and TNF-α. Furthermore, the IFN-γ produced by LPMCs triggered further abnormal macrophage differentiation with an IL-23–hyperproducing phenotype. Collectively, these data suggest that this IL-23/IFN-γ–positive feedback loop induced by abnormal intestinal macrophages contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammation in patients with CD.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation