IL-24 is expressed by rat and human macrophages

Recently, a number of interleukin-10 (IL-10) homologues, among them IL-24 formerly known as melanocyte differentiation factor-7 (mda-7), has been described. Since IL-10 is released by macrophages and plays an important role in the resolution of inflammatory processes, we hypothesized that IL-24 might also be expressed in cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. We analyzed IL-24 expression on the mRNA and protein level in stimulated rat and human macrophages. In rat alveolar macrophages and NR8383 cells, IL-24 mRNA induction was observed following stimulation with LPS and IL-4 whereas TNF-alpha failed. Intracellular IL-24 protein was detected in unstimulated and IL-4 stimulated NR8383 cells. Also human blood monocytes showed a strong up-regulation of IL-24 mRNA following preparation which was enhanced by LPS and lowered by IL-10. Furthermore, infection of human monocytes with influenza A virus A/PR/8 caused an induction of IL-24 mRNA expression. In conclusion, our data show that IL-24 expression is induced in stimulated and infected rat and human macrophages, however, more insights into the functions of IL-24 are necessary to define its physiological relevance.