Upregulated IL-21 and IL-21 receptor expression is involved in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU)

[摘要] Purpose: Interleukin (IL)-21 hasrecently been shown to play a vital role in the development of manyautoimmune diseases. Our study is designed to investigate thealteration and possible function of IL-21 in the development of anexperimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) model. Methods: EAU was induced in B10.RIIImice by subcutaneous injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid-bindingprotein (IRBP) 161–180 emulsified with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)and evaluated by clinical and histopathologic observation. IL-21and IL-21R mRNA expressions in cells of draining lymph node(DLN) and spleen in EAU and control mice were determined by reversetranscription-PCR. The frequencies of interleukin-21 receptor positivecells were also examined using flow cytometry. IL-17 levels in thesupernatant of the cell culture upon IL-21 stimulation were assayed byenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Results showed that EAU wassuccessfully induced by IRBP161–180. Expression of IL-21 mRNAwas significantly increased in cells of DLN and spleen in EAU comparedwith recovery phase mice and normal controls. IL-21R was alsofound upregulated in DLN and spleen cells of EAU mice by reversetranscription-PCR and flow cytometry. Cells in EAU cultured with IL-21combined with transforming growth factor-β induced increased productionof IL-17. Conclusion: The findings revealed thatincreased IL-21 and IL-21R expression may be involvedin the development of EAU, possibly by promoting IL-17 secretion.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理