The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 19 is expressed by and angiogenic for human endothelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the expression and function of interleukin (IL) 19, a recently described T-helper 2 anti-inflammatory IL, on endothelial cell (EC) pathophysiological features.


RESULTS
The expression and effects of anti-inflammatory ILs on EC activation and development of angiogenesis are uncharacterized. We demonstrate by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot that IL-19 is expressed in inflamed, but not normal, human coronary endothelium and can be induced in cultured human ECs by serum and basic fibroblast growth factor. IL-19 is mitogenic and chemotactic, and it promotes EC spreading. IL-19 activates the signaling proteins STAT3, p44/42, and Rac1. In functional ex vivo studies, IL-19 promotes cordlike structure formation of cultured ECs and enhances microvessel sprouting in the mouse aortic ring assay. IL-19 induces tube formation in gelatinous protein (Matrigel) plugs in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, these data are the first to report expression of the anti-inflammatory agent, IL-19, in ECs; and the first to indicate that IL-19 is mitogenic and chemotactic for ECs and can induce the angiogenic potential of ECs.
Jain
Surbhi
S
Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
Gabunia
Khatuna
K
Kelemen
Sheri E
SE
Panetti
Tracee S
TS
Autieri
Michael V
MV
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002633:Chemotaxis; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055806:Microvessels / Q000378:metabolism; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010766:Phosphorylation; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism
C421250:IL19 protein, human; D007378:Interleukins; C107953:RAC1 protein, human; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein