Xue J, Nguyen DTC, Habtezion A. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor regulates pancreatic IL-22 production and protects mice from acute pancreatitis.
Gastroenterology 2012;
143:1670-80. [PMID:
23022954 PMCID:
PMC3647696 DOI:
10.1053/j.gastro.2012.08.051]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Revised: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS
The type of immune response during development of acute pancreatitis (AP) determines disease severity. Pancreatic epithelial cells express the interleukin (IL)-22 receptor A1 (IL-22RA1). The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that regulates expression of IL-22. We investigated sources and role of IL-22 in the pancreas, along with the effects of AhR activation on IL-22 expression and AP progression in mice.
METHODS
We analyzed the effects of recombinant IL-22, a monoclonal antibody against IL-22, and agonists and antagonists of AhR in mice with AP (induced with caerulein or a choline-deficient diet supplemented with DL-ethionine) and control mice. We also analyzed transgenic mice with AhR deficiency (AhR(d) and AhR(-/-) mice).
RESULTS
CD4(+) T cells were the main source of IL-22 in pancreatic tissues from healthy mice. During development of AP, numbers of IL-22(+) CD4(+) T cells were reduced, whereas IL-22RA1 was up-regulated. Consistent with high levels of IL-22RA1 expression, pancreatic acinar cells responded to IL-22 signaling via signal transducers and activators of transcription 3; administration of IL-22 reduced AP and associated lung injury in mice. AhR was required for production of IL-22 and protected mice from AP. Mice that did not respond to AhR activation developed AP, but administration of IL-22 reduced AP; blockade of IL-22 reversed the ability of activated AhR to protect against AP.
CONCLUSIONS
AhR activation protects mice from AP by inducing expression of IL-22. AhR therefore mediates interactions between pancreatic leukocytes and epithelial cells and might be developed as a therapeutic target.
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