Premium
Expression of IL‐27 in human Th1‐associated granulomatous diseases
Author(s) -
Larousserie Frédérique,
Pflanz Stefan,
CoulombL'Herminé Aurore,
Brousse Nicole,
Kastelein Rob,
Devergne Odile
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1508
Subject(s) - biology , giant cell , interleukin 12 , epithelioid cell , granuloma , macrophage , immunology , pathology , immunohistochemistry , interleukin 4 , cytokine , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , cytotoxic t cell , medicine , biochemistry
Interleukin (IL)‐27 is a newly described member of the IL‐12 family. It is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of two subunits, p28 and Epstein–Barr virus‐induced gene 3 (EBI3). In vitro studies have shown that IL‐27 is mainly produced by activated monocytes and dendritic cells. It induces the proliferation of naïve CD4‐positive T cells and synergizes with IL‐12 for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production. Knock‐out mice for the IL‐27 receptor (WSX‐1/TCCR) have impaired Th1 responses and form abnormal granulomas when injected with bacillus Calmette‐Guérin. However, the expression profile of IL‐27 in vivo is currently unknown. To investigate the potential role of IL‐27 in the development of a Th1 response in humans in vivo , this study has analysed the in situ expression of IL‐27 subunits in three types of granulomatous disease (tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and Crohn's disease), each characterized by a Th1 response. Tissue sections from patients with tuberculosis ( n = 9), sarcoidosis ( n = 8), or Crohn's disease ( n = 7) were analysed by immunohistochemistry with anti‐EBI3 and anti‐p28 antibodies, in parallel with control tissues (control reactive lymph nodes, n = 14, and control intestinal tissues, n = 11). In granulomatous tissues, EBI3 and p28 co‐expression was detected in epithelioid and multinucleate giant cells in granulomas. In addition, sinus or tissue macrophages, endothelial cells, and plasma cells were found to co‐express EBI3 and p28. These data support a possible role for IL‐27 in human Th1 responses. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.