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BRIEF DEFINITIVE REPORT |
CORRESPONDENCE Claude Libert: Claude.Libert{at}UGent.be
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TNF has a very powerful antitumor activity. Therapeutic administration of TNF to tumor-bearing animals or to human patients, however, is greatly limited by its toxicity, which is due to its strong proinflammatory nature. Indeed, injection of TNF leads to refractory hypotension, systemic inflammation, multi-organ failure, shock, and death, collectively known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (1). Only a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms, molecules, and cells leading to TNF-induced SIRS will allow full exploitation of the potent antitumor activity of TNF in specific interventions against cancer. Our previous findings demonstrated that manipulation of several pathways protects the host against the toxicity of TNF without affecting its antitumor activity (2, 3).
IL-17 belongs to a family of proinflammatory cytokines (4). The role of IL-17 in host immune defense and in inflammation has been studied extensively in recent years. Numerous subtypes of IL-17–like ligands and IL-17R–like receptors have been described. The IL-17 family consists so far of six members, IL-17A to IL-17F. Their receptors, IL-17R and IL-17RB-E, form a family whose ligand specificity is only partially known (4). IL-17 is mainly produced by a subset of T cells implicated in autoimmune inflammation; these cells, designated Th17 cells, arise from a CD4 precurser pool and are distinct from Th1 or Th2 cells (5–7). Spontaneous development of Th17 causes autoimmune arthritis (8). IL-17–neutralizing antibodies or deletion of the gene encoding the IL-17 or IL-17R protects animals in models of autoimmune diseases, whereas transfer of Th17 or overexpression of IL-17 aggravates the disease (6, 9–13). IL-17 induces expression of inflammatory genes, such as il8, and synergizes with TNF (14). We investigated the role of the IL-17–IL-17R axis in a model of TNF-induced lethal shock. We demonstrate that inhibition of IL-17 or IL-17R strongly protects against TNF-induced gene induction, organ damage, and death. Furthermore, we found that intestinal Paneth cells produce and release a high level of IL-17 during inflammation.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
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ABSTRACT
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
REFERENCES
Neutralizing antibodies against IL-17 protect mice against a lethal TNF challenge
We investigated the role of IL-17 in TNF-induced shock using neutralizing antibodies. Mice were injected i.v. with 10 µg TNF 2 h after treatment with 100 µl of a rabbit anti–IL-17 antiserum. Control mice received an equal volume of rabbit preimmune serum. Mortality was monitored for up to 60 h, and body temperature was assessed 4 and 6 h after injection. In the first experiment, all five control mice died within 24 h after challenge, whereas all three mice treated with anti–IL-17 antiserum survived. Mice pretreated with anti–IL-17 were significantly protected against hypothermia (not depicted). In the second experiment, significant protection by the anti–IL-17 serum was again observed (Fig. 1 A).
This antiserum specifically neutralized IL-17(A) but not IL-17F, as shown by an in vitro assay (Fig. 1 B). As IL-17 is produced mainly by a subset of T cells, its role is presumably restricted to inflammation associated with underlying T cell–mediated immunity, such as autoimmunity or allergy (6, 9, 10, 12, 15). The time course of IL-17 production is slow, reflecting the development of a specific T cell subset (6). However, in our model, SIRS developed a few hours after systemic administration of TNF, and mice died after 12–48 h. Also, nude and SCID mice were fully responsive to TNF-induced SIRS (unpublished data), which reveals no major role for specific T cells. Hence, the prevention of TNF-induced shock by anti–IL-17 antiserum suggests a potentially new role for IL-17. Our observation supports a recent report on the aggravating effect of IL-17 in another model of SIRS, caecal ligation and puncture (16).
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TNF injected into mice or humans causes severe inflammation and tissue damage in the small bowel (19). 3 h after injection of 7.5 µg TNF, small bowel samples (jejunum) were collected and stained for histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. The intestinal epithelium of TNF-treated WT mice (n = 6) was extensively damaged, with partial loss of morphological structure. The villi were flattened and their tops were denuded or missing. Crypts contained mucus and debris (Fig. 3 A). In contrast, the morphology of all IL-17R KO intestines (n = 6) after TNF challenge was almost normal with little or no damage (Fig. 3 B). Staining the intestinal sections of WT mice for leukocytes with an anti-CD45 antibody 3 h after TNF injection demonstrated massive leukocyte influx in the villi, where the extensive tissue damage occurred (Fig. 3 C). Much fewer leukocytes were found in the IL-17R KO mice, correlating with the absence of tissue damage (Fig. 3, D and E). IL-17 induces expression of CXC chemokines, such as CXCL1, which account for chemotaxis of leukocytes (14) and activates neutrophils to release elastase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in vivo (20). In line with this, by using anti-MPO antibody we observed neutrophil infiltrate in some WT mice, which was not seen in any of the IL-17R KO mice (not depicted).
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T cells are the dominant cell types producing IL-17 (20–22), the increased IL-17 associated with the villi can be partly attributed to these cells. The negative control for each time point was devoid of any signal (Fig. 4, D and E, respectively). This local expression was characteristic of IL-17, as we did not detect any signal using antibody against IL-1β or IL-18 (not depicted). As the unexpected localization of IL-17 at the crypt bottom seemed to be associated with Paneth cells on morphological grounds, we further explored the identity of these cells using the IL-17 antibody and a specific anti-matrilysin antibody on serial sections (Fig. 4, H and I). Because 
T cells reside in the intraepithelial layer (23) and not at the crypt bottom (24), it is unlikely that the observed signal came from this cell type. The matrilysin signal was specific, as shown by the absence of signal in matrilysin-deficient mice (Fig. 4 F). Matrilysin has been shown to be specifically expressed in Paneth cells, where it activates
-defensins (25). We confirmed the expression of IL-17 in the jejunum by real-time PCR; 3 h after TNF challenge, the transcript level of IL-17 was significantly up-regulated, about threefold (Fig. 4 G).
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T cells producing IL-17 because the sensitivity might have been too low or because their spatial distribution might have made it difficult to identify these cells in the ultrathin sections. Contrary to expectation, the level of IL-17 within the Paneth cells declined 3 h after injection with TNF (Fig. 5 B). The negative control using the control antibody was devoid of any signal, confirming the specificity of the observed signal (Fig. 5 C). This finding seemed to contradict the result of IHC using the same antibody, where an increase in the signal was detected after TNF injection. This seeming discrepancy might be due to TNF inducing rapid secretion of IL-17 stored in the granules. IHC may detect the cumulative level of secreted IL-17 around the neighboring cells beyond the immediately adjacent microvilli, whereas EM may not. Indeed, in IHC the strong signal was observed in the villi surface and occasionally in cells, presumably lamina propria lymphocytes and intraepithelial lymphocytes (Fig. 4 B). Therefore, it appears that the TNF-induced positive feedback loop involves two levels. IL-17 is first secreted from the abundant intracellular vesicles, and then mRNA for IL-17 is up-regulated to restore the intracellular reservoir. This kind of regulation fits very well with the function of Paneth cells in the first line of defense.
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-defensins, and cryptdin-related peptides (26). Paneth cells are involved in anti-parasitic immunity and also express several inflammatory molecules, such as TNF, GM-CSF, and inducible NO synthase (27, 28). Moreover, Paneth cells have a clear capacity to respond to inflammatory cytokines as shown in the induction of inducible NO synthase by TNF (28). The leukocyte-like Paneth cells, because they release TNF, are thought to be essential both in mucosal immunity against pathogens and in development of Crohn's disease. IL-17 expression seems to be increased in the colons of Crohn's patients (29), but it has never been associated with Paneth cells until now.
To date, IL-17–producing cells were identified only among leukocytes: Th17 cells, subset of CD8+ cells, NK cells,
βT cells, 
T cells, and neutrophils (30). Our data clearly demonstrate that IL-17 is produced in Paneth cells and released upon challenge with TNF, and that it seems to be involved in a positive amplification loop together with the major IL-17 receptor. This receptor is expressed on a variety of cell types, such as fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and leukocytes (4). Thus, Paneth cells clearly respond to TNF by producing IL-17 and this leads to a fast, mucosa-specific reaction. Th17 cells and 
T cells also participate in these mucosa-specific immune responses (23). For instance, Th17 cells play a role in mucosal innate immunity by inducing antimicrobial peptides (31). Th17 cells, 
T cells, and Paneth cells might participate in a coordinated interplay between innate and adaptive immunity in a spatiotemporally regulated manner to ensure the host defense at the local mucosa. This is in agreement with the role of local mucosal tissue as the first immunological barrier to pathogens. A rapid local amplification mechanism needed for defense, however, may turn out detrimental in case of systemic inflammatory syndromes caused by bacterial endotoxins or by TNF.
Our finding sheds light on the role of Paneth cells as a ready source of IL-17, which amplifies signals in acute inflammation. It may also add a new dimension to the mechanism by which Paneth cells ensure mucosal immunity to gut pathogens.
| MATERIALS AND METHODS |
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Agents.
Recombinant mouse TNF (7.8 x 107 units/mg) was produced at Ghent University. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies were raised against recombinant mouse IL-17 (R&D Systems) by CFA immunization and repeated subcutaneous injections of IL-17 mixed with alum, as described previously (12). Titers were determined by a specific mIL-17 ELISA (R&D Systems). No cross-reactivity was observed with IL-1β, IL-1
, or TNF. To test subtype specificity, H4 cells were incubated with IL-17(A) and IL-17F with or without anti–IL-17 antibody. The conditioned medium was analyzed for the production of NO metabolite using Griess reagent.
Injections, monitoring, and sampling.
TNF was diluted in endotoxin-free PBS and injected i.v. into the lateral tail vein. Antiserum or control rabbit preimmune serum was injected i.p. Mortality was scored for 60 h. Serum and tissue samples were collected 0, 1, 3, and 9 h after injection for the initial time course study. For later study, we concentrated on a 3-h time point when the induction of IL-17 was maximal. Tissue samples were fixed briefly and embedded in paraffin by a standard protocol (Tissue Tek VIP; Sakura). For EM, samples were briefly immersed in hexadecene and frozen immediately in a high-pressure freezer (EM Pact; Leica). After freeze substitution (EM AFS; Leica) followed by infiltration in LR-White (hard grade; London Resin), samples were embedded in capsules. RNA samples were isolated by using RNeasy (QIAGEN).
Determination of IL-6, IL-17, and NOx in the serum.
IL-6 and NO metabolites were determined in serum and H4 supernatant as described previously (2). Serum levels of IL-17 were determined by a Luminex multi-analysis system (BioPlex; Bio-Rad Laboratories) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The sensitivity of the IL-6 assay, NO assay, and the multiplex kit was 1 pg/ml, 10 µM, and 10 pg/ml, respectively.
Tissue section, histology, and immunohistochemistry.
The following antibodies were used: anti–IL-17 antibody and control antibody (sc-6077 and sc-2028, respectively; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.), anti-CD45 antibody (BD Biosciences), anti-MPO antibody (Dako), and anti-matrilysin antibody (provided by B. Fingleton, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN). Biotin-conjugated IgGs, the Vectastain ABC kit (Vector Laboratories), AEC, and/or DAB were used for visualization. The slides were counterstained with Harris' hematoxylin. CD45+ cells were counted in 10 random fields in double-blinded fashion.
Real-time PCR.
RNA samples were reverse transcribed by using oligo-dT primers and MMLV reverse transcription. Primers were designed with Primer Express (Applied Biosystems) and purchased from Biolegio. Quantitative PCR was performed using the ABI/Prism 7000 sequence detection system (Applied Biosystems) for 10 ng cDNA with SYBR Green Master mix. The relative mRNA level was expressed as 2–
Ct x 10,000 (
Ct, relative cycle threshold compared with GAPDH).
Immunodetection of IL-17 by EM.
Ultrathin sections of gold interference color were cut on an ultramicrotome (Ultracut E; Reichert-Jung) and collected on formvar-coated copper slot grids. Grids were floated on blocking solution, followed by incubation with anti–IL-17 antibody or control antibody (sc-6077 or sc-2028; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.). The grids were labeled with the secondary antibody, anti–goat IgGs coupled with 12-nm gold (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories). Sections were poststained in an LKB ultrastainer with uranyl acetate and with lead stain. Grids were viewed by using a JEOL 1010 TEM operating at 80 kV.
Statistical analysis.
Student's t test was used for statistical analysis. All p-values of <0.05 were considered significant.
| Acknowledgments |
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This work was supported by IOP Genomics (IGE02032), by FWO Vlaanderen, Belgium, and the Interuniversity Attraction Poles, Belgium. I. Vanlaere is an aspirant of the FWO-Vlaanderen, Belgium. E. Lubberts was supported by a Veni Fellowship (grant no. 906-02-038) from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). A. Cauwels is a postdoctoral fellow of the FWO-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
The authors have no other conflicting financial interests.
Submitted: 19 March 2008
Accepted: 12 June 2008
© 2008 Takahashi et al. This article is distributed under the terms of an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike–No Mirror Sites license for the first six months after the publication date (see http://www.jem.org/misc/terms.shtml). After six months it is available under a Creative Commons License (Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, as described at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
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