T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) memory T cell-potentiating cytokine IL-25 has the potential to promote angiogenesis in asthma

CJ Corrigan, W Wang, Q Meng… - Proceedings of the …, 2011 - National Acad Sciences
CJ Corrigan, W Wang, Q Meng, C Fang, H Wu, V Reay, Z Lv, Y Fan, Y An, YH Wang, YJ Liu
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011National Acad Sciences
IL-25 (IL-17E) is a T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokine best described as a potentiator of Th2
memory responses. Reports of expression of its receptor, IL-25R, on airways structural cells
suggest a wider role for IL-25 in remodeling. We hypothesized that IL-25 stimulates local
angiogenesis in the asthmatic bronchial mucosa. Immunoreactive IL-25+, IL-25R+, and
CD31+ (endothelial) cells in sections of bronchial biopsies from asthmatics and controls
were detected by immunohistochemistry. The effect of IL-25 on angiogenesis was examined …
IL-25 (IL-17E) is a T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokine best described as a potentiator of Th2 memory responses. Reports of expression of its receptor, IL-25R, on airways structural cells suggest a wider role for IL-25 in remodeling. We hypothesized that IL-25 stimulates local angiogenesis in the asthmatic bronchial mucosa. Immunoreactive IL-25+, IL-25R+, and CD31+ (endothelial) cells in sections of bronchial biopsies from asthmatics and controls were detected by immunohistochemistry. The effect of IL-25 on angiogenesis was examined using an in vitro assay. Real-time PCR was used to detect expression of IL-25R and VEGF mRNA in cultured human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC), and a cell proliferation kit (WST-8) was used to measure the effect of IL-25 on HUVEC proliferation. Immunostaining showed that IL-25+, IL-25R+, and CD31+/IL-25R+ cells were significantly elevated in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics compared with controls (P < 0.003). In asthmatics, the numbers of IL-25+ cells correlated inversely with the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = −0.639; P = 0.01). In vitro, HUVEC constitutively expressed IL-25R, which was up-regulated further by TNF-α. IL-25 and TNF-α also increased expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors. IL-25 increased HUVEC proliferation and the number, length, and area of microvessel structures in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. VEGF blockade, the PI3K-specific inhibitor LY294002, and the MAPK/ERK1/2 (MEK1/2)-specific inhibitor U0126 all markedly attenuated IL-25–induced angiogenesis, and the inhibitors also reduced IL-25–induced proliferation and VEGF expression. Our findings suggest that IL-25 is elevated in asthma and contributes to angiogenesis, at least partly by increasing endothelial cell VEGF/VEGF receptor expression through PI3K/Akt and Erk/MAPK pathways.
National Acad Sciences