Interleukin (IL)-22 and IL-17 are coexpressed by Th17 cells and cooperatively enhance expression of antimicrobial peptides

J Exp Med. 2006 Oct 2;203(10):2271-9. doi: 10.1084/jem.20061308. Epub 2006 Sep 18.

Abstract

Th17 cells are a distinct lineage of effector CD4(+) T cells characterized by their production of interleukin (IL)-17. We demonstrate that Th17 cells also expressed IL-22, an IL-10 family member, at substantially higher amounts than T helper (Th)1 or Th2 cells. Similar to IL-17A, IL-22 expression was initiated by transforming growth factor beta signaling in the context of IL-6 and other proinflammatory cytokines. The subsequent expansion of IL-22-producing cells was dependent on IL-23. We further demonstrate that IL-22 was coexpressed in vitro and in vivo with both IL-17A and IL-17F. To study a functional relationship among these cytokines, we examined the expression of antimicrobial peptides by primary keratinocytes treated with combinations of IL-22, IL-17A, and IL-17F. IL-22 in conjunction with IL-17A or IL-17F synergistically induced the expression of beta-defensin 2 and S100A9 and additively enhanced the expression of S100A7 and S100A8. Collectively, we have identified IL-22 as a new cytokine expressed by Th17 cells that synergizes with IL-17A or IL-17F to regulate genes associated with skin innate immunity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / immunology
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology*
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / immunology*
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta