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I nterleukin‐15 receptor α expression in inflammatory bowel disease patients before and after normalization of inflammation with infliximab
Author(s) -
Perrier Clémentine,
Arijs Ingrid,
Staelens Dominiek,
Breynaert Christine,
Cleynen Isabelle,
Covens Kris,
Ferrante Marc,
Assche Gert,
Vermeire Séverine,
Hertogh Gert,
Schuit Frans,
Rutgeerts Paul,
Ceuppens Jan L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.12014
Subject(s) - infliximab , inflammatory bowel disease , inflammation , ulcerative colitis , medicine , receptor , interleukin 15 , tumor necrosis factor alpha , cytokine , immunology , interleukin , disease
Summary Interleukin‐15 ( IL ‐15) is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine thought to contribute to the inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases ( IBD ). The specific receptor chain IL ‐15 R α can be expressed as a transmembranous signalling receptor, or can be cleaved by a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 17 ( ADAM 17) into a neutralizing, soluble receptor (s IL ‐15 R α). The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of IL ‐15 R α in ulcerative colitis ( UC ) and Crohn's disease ( CD ) patients before and after infliximab ( IFX ) therapy. Gene expression of IL‐15Rα , IL‐15 and ADAM 17 was measured at the m RNA level by quantitative reverse transcription‐ PCR in mucosal biopsies harvested before and after first IFX therapy. Concentrations of sIL ‐15Rα were measured in sera of patients by ELISA and IL ‐15 R α protein was localized in the gut by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Mucosal expression of IL ‐15 R α is increased in UC and CD patients compared with controls and it remains elevated after IFX therapy in both responder and non‐responder patients. The concentration of s IL ‐15 R α in serum is also increased in UC patients when compared with controls and does not differ between responders and non‐responders either before or after IFX . CD patients have levels of s IL ‐15 R α comparable to healthy controls before and after therapy. In mucosal tissues, IL‐15 R α + cells closely resemble activated memory B cells with a pre‐plasmablastic phenotype. To conclude, IBD patients have an increased expression of IL ‐15 R α m RNA in the mucosa. Expression is localized in B cells, suggesting that IL ‐15 regulates B ‐cell functions during bowel inflammation. No change in release of s IL ‐15 R α is observed in patients treated with IFX .