Interleukin-10 suppresses natural killer cell but not natural killer T cell activation during bacterial infection.
Interleukin (IL)-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine known to modulate the outcome of sepsis by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, including IL-12, a main activator of natural killer (NK) cells. We hypothesized that neutralization of IL-10 would increase NK and natural killer T (NKT) cell activation through increased IL-12 in a mouse model of bacterial peritonitis. NK and NKT cell activations were measured by CD69 expression on NK1.1+/CD3- and NK1.1+/CD3+ cells after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). NK cells were significantly more activated in mice treated with anti-IL-10 antibodies, whereas no such effect was observed in NKT cells. Similarly, intracellular interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) levels were increased in NK cells of anti-IL-10-treated mice, but not in NKT cells. IL-12 and IL-18 levels were increased in both CLP groups, but in anti-IL-10-treated mice, early IL-12 and late IL-18 levels were significantly higher than in controls. Survival at 18 h after CLP was lower in anti-IL-10 mice, which was associated with increased liver neutrophil accumulation. In summary, these data show an activating effect of IL-10 on NK, but not on NKT cells after CLP, which corresponded with decreased survival, higher IFN-gamma production, and increased remote organ neutrophil accumulation. These effects were not mediated by IL-12 and IL-18 alone, and reinforce a role for NK cells in remote organ dysfunction following peritonitis.
Scott
Melanie J
MJ
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
Hoth
J Jason
JJ
Turina
Matthias
M
Woods
Dustin R
DR
Cheadle
William G
WG
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013997:Time Factors
D020382:Interleukin-18; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12