Other
14 Authors
- Ma J,
- Ren T,
- Wang X,
- Gao B,
- Xiang X,
- Ait-Ahmed Y,
- Liangpunsakul S,
- Rodrigues RM,
- Hwang S,
- Feng D,
- He Y,
- Xu M,
- Fu Y,
- Mackowiak B
| First Author | He Y | Year | 2021 |
| Journal | J Hepatol | Volume | 75 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 163-176 |
| PubMed ID | 33610678 | Mgi Jnum | J:353184 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7666201 | Doi | 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.02.004 |
| Citation | He Y, et al. (2021) Interleukin-20 exacerbates acute hepatitis and bacterial infection by downregulating IkappaBzeta target genes in hepatocytes. J Hepatol 75(1):163-176 |
| abstractText | BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interleukin (IL)-20 and IL-22 belong to the IL-10 family. IL-10 is a well-documented anti-inflammatory cytokine while IL-22 is well known for epithelial protection and its antibacterial function, showing great therapeutic potential for organ damage; however, the function of IL-20 remains largely unknown. METHODS: Il20 knockout (Il20(-/-)) mice and wild-type littermates were generated and injected with Concanavalin A (ConA) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.P.) to induce acute hepatitis and bacterial infection, respectively. RESULTS: Il20(-/-) mice were resistant to acute hepatitis and exhibited selectively elevated levels of the hepatoprotective cytokine IL-6. Such selective inhibition of IL-6 by IL-20 was due to IL-20 targeting hepatocytes that produce high levels of IL-6 but a limited number of other cytokines. Mechanistically, IL-20 upregulated NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) expression and subsequently promoted the protein degradation of transcription factor IkappaBzeta, resulting in selective downregulation of the IkappaBzeta-dependent gene Il6 as well several other IkappaBzeta-dependent genes including lipocalin-2 (Lcn2). Given the important role of IL-6 and LCN2 in limiting bacterial infection, we examined the effect of IL-20 on bacterial infection and found Il20(-/-) mice were resistant to K.P. infection and exhibited elevated levels of hepatic IkappaBzeta-dependent antibacterial genes. Moreover, IL-20 upregulated hepatic NQO1 by binding to IL-22R1/IL-20R2 and activating ERK/p38MAPK/NRF2 signaling pathways. Finally, the levels of hepatic IL1B, IL20, and IkappaBzeta target genes were elevated, and correlated with each other, in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: IL-20 selectively inhibits hepatic IL-6 production rather than exerting IL-10-like broad anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike IL-22, IL-20 aggravates acute hepatitis and bacterial infection. Thus, anti-IL-20 therapy could be a promising option to control acute hepatitis and bacterial infection. LAY SUMMARY: Several interleukin (IL)-20 family cytokines have been shown to play important roles in controllimg inflammatory responses, infection and tissue damage, but the role of IL-20 remains unclear. Herein, we elucidated the role of IL-20 in liver disease and bacterial infection. We show that IL-20 can aggravate hepatitis and bacterial infection; thus, targeting IL-20 holds promise for the treatment of patients with liver disease. |
