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IL-24 modulates IFN-gamma expression in patients with tuberculosis
Bo Wu1, Chunhong Huang, Midori Kato-Maeda
1Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.
Immunology Letters
|January 18, 2008
Summary
Interleukin-24 (IL-24) influences interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in tuberculosis (TB) patients. This study shows IL-24 can boost IFN-gamma expression in TB patients and reduce it in latent TB infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Interleukin-24 (IL-24), a member of the IL-10 family, has shown differential expression in tuberculosis (TB) patients compared to latent TB infection (LTBI).
- Previous work indicated lower levels of IL-24 and IFN-gamma in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from TB patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IL-24 in regulating IFN-gamma expression in the context of TB infection.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which IL-24 affects IFN-gamma levels in TB patients and LTBI subjects.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from LTBI subjects and TB patients were stimulated with the Mtb-specific antigen ESAT-6.
- Cytokine expression was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) after IL-24 stimulation or neutralization.
- Expression levels of IL-12 family cytokines and FOXP3 were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Exogenous IL-24 significantly increased IFN-gamma expression in PBMC from TB patients.
- Neutralization of IL-24 led to reduced IFN-gamma expression in PBMC from LTBI subjects.
- IL-24 enhanced IFN-gamma by upregulating IL-12 family cytokines (IL-12alpha, IL-12beta, IL-23alpha, IL-27) and downregulating FOXP3 in TB patients' PBMC.
Conclusions:
- IL-24 plays a significant role in modulating IFN-gamma expression during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection.
- IL-24's influence on IFN-gamma appears to be mediated through the IL-12 cytokine family and FOXP3 expression.
- These findings highlight IL-24 as a potential therapeutic target or biomarker in TB.
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