CD14+ cell-derived IL-29 modulates proinflammatory cytokine production in patients with allergic airway inflammation.
BACKGROUND
Interleukin (IL)-29 is a newly described cytokine that has anti-viral activity, induces tumor cell death and regulates immune function. Whether it plays a role in immune disorders is unclear. This study aims to examine the role of IL-29 in the modulation of immune response under allergic environment.


METHODS
A group of patients with allergic asthma or/and allergic rhinitis was recruited to this study. Serum samples were collected from the patients in both in-season and out-season; the serum levels of IL-29 were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Cell types of IL-29-producing cells in upper airway mucosa were identified with immune staining and examined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.


RESULTS
High serum levels of IL-29 were detected in patients with allergic asthma in in-season, but not in out-season. The majority of IL-29(+) cells in upper airway tissue were CD14(+) cells. Exposure to specific antigens triggered the release of IL-4 from antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells; the released IL-4 activated CD14(+) cells to release IL-29; the released IL-29 further triggered the release of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor from CD4(+) T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Interleukin-29 is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation via modulating immune cells' function to release proinflammatory cytokines.
He
S
S
Clinical Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. shoahenghe@hotmail.com
Li
T
T
Chen
H
H
Ma
W
W
Yao
Q
Q
Yang
H
H
Wang
H
H
Wang
F
F
Zhao
C
C
Yang
P
P
D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
D016207:Cytokines; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda