Salient type 1 interleukin 1 receptor expression in peripheral non-immune cells

Interleukin 1 is a pleiotropic cytokine that mediates diverse functions through its receptor, type I interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1R1). Most previous studies have focused on the expression and function of IL-1R1 in immune cells. Here we performed a comprehensive mapping of IL-1R1 distribution in multiple peripheral tissues using our IL-1R1 reporter (IL-1R1^GR/GR) mice. This method yielded the highest sensitivity of in situ detection of IL-1R1 mRNA and protein. Besides validating previously reported IL-1R1 expression in the endocrine tissues including pituitary and pancreas, our results refuted previously reported exclusive IL-1R1 expression in neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Instead, IL-1R1 expression was detected in endothelial cells within DRG, spinal cord, pancreas, colon, muscles and many immune organs. In addition, gp38⁺ fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), rather than tissue macrophages or other immune cells, were found to express high levels of IL-1R1 in colon and many immune organs. A functional test of spleen FRCs showed that they responded rapidly to systemic IL-1β stimulation in vivo. Taken together, this study provides a rigorous re-examination of IL-1R1 expression in peripheral tissues and reveals tissue FRCs as a previously unappreciated novel high IL-1R1-expressing cell type in peripheral IL-1 signaling.