Interleukin-28A enhances autoimmune disease in a retinal autoimmunity model.

Xiangrong Ren, Hongyan Zhou, Xialin Liu, Shao Bo Su

Cytokine 2014 Dec

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Interleukin-28A (IL-28A), a member of type III interferons (IFN-λs), promotes antiviral, antitumor and immune responses. However, its ability to regulate autoimmune diseases is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effect of IL-28A on retinal antigen-induced experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), a mouse model of human T-cell-mediated autoimmune eye disease. We found that administration of IL-28A enhanced EAU scores and autoimmune response parameters including delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), Ag-specific T cell proliferation and the production of Ag-specific IL-17 and IFN-γ in the priming phase. The effect of IL-28A was abrogated by administration of a neutralizing antibody against IL-28A. Our results suggest that IL-28A is capable of exacerbating a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Thus, targeting IL-28A may provide a new therapeutic approach to T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as uveitis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Xiangrong Ren, Hongyan Zhou, Xialin Liu, Shao Bo Su. Interleukin-28A enhances autoimmune disease in a retinal autoimmunity model. Cytokine. 2014 Dec;70(2):179-84