Protection from lethal septic peritonitis by neutralizing the biological function of interleukin 27.
The immune response to bacterial infections must be tightly controlled to guarantee pathogen elimination while preventing tissue damage by uncontrolled inflammation. Here, we demonstrate a key role of interleukin (IL)-27 in regulating this critical balance. IL-27 was rapidly induced during murine experimental peritonitis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Furthermore, mice deficient for the EBI3 subunit of IL-27 were resistant to CLP-induced septic peritonitis as compared with wild-type controls, and this effect could be suppressed by injection of recombinant single-chain IL-27. EBI3-/- mice displayed significantly enhanced neutrophil migration and oxidative burst capacity during CLP, resulting in enhanced bacterial clearance and local control of infection. Subsequent studies demonstrated that IL-27 directly suppresses endotoxin-induced production of reactive oxygen intermediates by isolated primary granulocytes and macrophages. Finally, in vivo blockade of IL-27 function using a newly designed soluble IL-27 receptor fusion protein led to significantly increased survival after CLP as compared with control-treated mice. Collectively, these data identify IL-27 as a key negative regulator of innate immune cell function in septic peritonitis. Furthermore, in vivo blockade of IL-27 is a novel potential therapeutic target for treatment of sepsis.
Wirtz
Stefan
S
Laboratory of Immunology, I. Medical Clinic, University of Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
Tubbe
Ingrid
I
Galle
Peter R
PR
Schild
Hans J
HJ
Birkenbach
Mark
M
Blumberg
Richard S
RS
Neurath
Markus F
MF
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000276:immunology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012995:Solubility; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
C486767:Il27 protein, mouse; D007378:Interleukins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins