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Dai C, Lu FN, Jin N, Yang B, Gao C, Zhao B, Fu JZ, Hong SF, Liang HT, Chen LH, Chen ZS, Chen J, Qi ZQ. Recombinant IL-33 prolongs leflunomide-mediated graft survival by reducing IFN-γ and expanding CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in concordant heart transplantation. J Transl Med 2016; 96:820-9. [PMID: 27295346 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2016.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-33 is a novel IL-1 family member, and its administration has been associated with promotion of T helper type-2 (Th2) cell activity and cytokines, particularly IL-4 and IL-5 in vivo. Recently, IL-33 was shown to increase CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and to suppress levels of the Th1-type cytokine IFN-γ in allogeneic heart transplantation in mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that IL-33 and leflunomide (Lef) could prolong graft survival in the concordant mouse-to-rat heart transplantation model. In this model, xenografts undergo acute humoral xenograft rejection (AHXR) typically on day 3 or cell-mediated rejection approximately on day 7 if AHXR is inhibited by Lef treatment. Recipients were treated with Lef (n=6), IL-33 (n=6), IL-33 combined with Lef (n=6), or left untreated (n=6) for survival studies. Heart grafts were monitored until they stopped beating. Mouse heterotopic grafts were performed, and recipients were sacrificed on days 2 and 7 for histological and flow cytometric analyses. The combination of IL-33 and Lef significantly prolonged the grafts from 17.3±2.3 to 2.8±0.4 days, compared to untreated controls. IL-33 administration with Lef, while facilitating Th2-associated cytokines (IL-4 on day 2 but not day 7), also decreased IFN-γ on day 2 and day 7, compared with Lef treatment only. Furthermore, IL-33 with Lef administration caused an expansion of suppressive CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs in rats. The IL-33 and Lef combination therapy resulted in significantly prolonged graft survival, associated with markedly decreased Th1 cells and increased IL-10 levels. In addition, the combination therapy significantly decreased the percentage of CD-45(+) B cells on days 2 and 7, compared with monotherapy. These findings reveal a new immunoregulatory property of IL-33. Specifically, it facilitates regulatory cells, particularly functional CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs that underlie IL-33-mediated cardiac xenograft survival. Moreover, it can decrease Th1 cells and cytokine expression of Th1 T cells in xenograft recipients, for example IFN-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Dai
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of the Ministry of Health, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Fang-Na Lu
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Ning Jin
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of the Ministry of Health, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Chang Gao
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Jia-Zhao Fu
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Shi-Fu Hong
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Han-Ting Liang
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Li-Hong Chen
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Zhi-Shui Chen
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of the Ministry of Health, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Zhong-Quan Qi
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
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