Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2026

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
Type I interferon upregulates IL-18RAP in neutrophils to enhance chemotaxis and bactericidal activity in autoimmune
Wenwen Jin1,2, Xi Su3, Lizhi Liu3
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Department of Pathology, QiluHospital of Shandong University Dezhou Hospital, Dezhou, China.
Objective:
Given the established association of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-18 receptor accessory protein (IL-18RAP) with autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), while their specific mechanism remains unclear, this study aimed to investigate the expression and functional significance of IL-18RAP in neutrophils from patients with AILD.
Methods:
The expression levels of IL-18RAP were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Serum type I interferon (IFN) concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In vitro cell experiments were conducted to assess chemotactic phagocytosis and to analyze the regulatory effect of IL-18RAP on neutrophil function. In vitro IFN stimulation experiments were performed to analyze the relationship between IL-18RAP expression and type I IFN.
Results:
IL-18RAP mRNA and protein expression levels were increased in patients with AILD. After IL-18 stimulation, the chemotaxis index and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction rate of neutrophils in the AILD group increased (P < 0.05). Serum type I IFN concentrations were elevated in AILD patients (Z = -2.14, P = 0.032). IL-18RAP mRNA expression was upregulated in the group stimulated with high-concentration patient serum and in the human recombinant IFN-α stimulation group, indicating that high concentrations of type I IFN can upregulate IL-18RAP expression in neutrophils.
Conclusion:
Elevated IL-18RAP expression in AILD patients enhanced the chemotactic, phagocytic, and bactericidal functions of neutrophils. Higher serum type I IFN levels in AILD patients upregulated IL-18RAP expression in neutrophils, suggesting that type I IFN contributes to the pathogenesis of AILD by upregulating IL-18RAP.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Acute Inflammation I: Inflammatory Response
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Acute Inflammation III: Local and Systemic Effects
