Evaluating IL-21 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Crohn's Disease

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluating IL-21 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Crohn's Disease

AU - Lindebo Holm, Thomas

AU - Tornehave, Ditte

AU - Søndergaard, Henrik

AU - Kvist, Peter Helding

AU - Sondergaard, Bodil-Cecilie

AU - Hansen, Lene

AU - Hermit, Mette Brunsgaard

AU - Holgersen, Kristine

AU - Vergo , Sandra

AU - Frederiksen , Klaus Stensgaard

AU - Haase, Claus

AU - Lundsgaard, Dorthe

PY - 2018/4/10

Y1 - 2018/4/10

N2 - Background and Aim. Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is primarily a T cell-derived cytokine; it is upregulated in patients with Crohn's Disease (CD) and could be a potential new therapeutic target in CD. Methods. In human material, IL-21 and IL-21R expression was investigated by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in noninflammatory bowel disease (non-IBD) controls and patients with CD. The pathologic role of IL-21 was examined in murine models of T cell-dependent and T cell-independent colitis, either with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against IL-21 or with the transfer of CD4+CD45RBhighIL-21R−/− T cells. Colonic pathology was examined by endoscopy, histopathology, IHC, ELISA, and Luminex. Results. In the human intestine, IL-21 and IL-21R mRNA and protein-expressing cells were observed in the mucosa, in lymphoid aggregates of submucosa in non-IBD controls, and in lymphoid aggregates of muscularis externa in patients with CD. IL-21 expression was most abundant in germinal centers (GCs) of the lymphoid aggregates, and IL-21R expression assessed semiquantitatively, was significantly higher in patients with CD compared to non-IBD controls. Following prophylactic and interventive anti-IL-21 mAb treatment in the adoptive transfer (AdTr) model, clinical and pathological parameters were significantly reduced. The most persistent finding was a reduction in colonic infiltrating neutrophils. As well, Rag2−/− mice receiving CD4+CD45RBhighIL-21R−/− T cells developed less severe colitis compared to Rag2−/− mice receiving CD4+CD45RBhighIL-21R+/+ T cells. No effect of reduced IL-21 signalling was observed in T cell-independent colitis. Conclusion. Our study shows that patients with CD have significant expression of IL-21 and IL-21R in the gut. As well, we show that neutralization of IL-21 in experimental T cell-driven colitis is associated with a reduction in clinical and pathological findings. This amelioration seems to be associated with a reduction in colon-infiltrating neutrophils.

AB - Background and Aim. Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is primarily a T cell-derived cytokine; it is upregulated in patients with Crohn's Disease (CD) and could be a potential new therapeutic target in CD. Methods. In human material, IL-21 and IL-21R expression was investigated by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in noninflammatory bowel disease (non-IBD) controls and patients with CD. The pathologic role of IL-21 was examined in murine models of T cell-dependent and T cell-independent colitis, either with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against IL-21 or with the transfer of CD4+CD45RBhighIL-21R−/− T cells. Colonic pathology was examined by endoscopy, histopathology, IHC, ELISA, and Luminex. Results. In the human intestine, IL-21 and IL-21R mRNA and protein-expressing cells were observed in the mucosa, in lymphoid aggregates of submucosa in non-IBD controls, and in lymphoid aggregates of muscularis externa in patients with CD. IL-21 expression was most abundant in germinal centers (GCs) of the lymphoid aggregates, and IL-21R expression assessed semiquantitatively, was significantly higher in patients with CD compared to non-IBD controls. Following prophylactic and interventive anti-IL-21 mAb treatment in the adoptive transfer (AdTr) model, clinical and pathological parameters were significantly reduced. The most persistent finding was a reduction in colonic infiltrating neutrophils. As well, Rag2−/− mice receiving CD4+CD45RBhighIL-21R−/− T cells developed less severe colitis compared to Rag2−/− mice receiving CD4+CD45RBhighIL-21R+/+ T cells. No effect of reduced IL-21 signalling was observed in T cell-independent colitis. Conclusion. Our study shows that patients with CD have significant expression of IL-21 and IL-21R in the gut. As well, we show that neutralization of IL-21 in experimental T cell-driven colitis is associated with a reduction in clinical and pathological findings. This amelioration seems to be associated with a reduction in colon-infiltrating neutrophils.

U2 - 10.1155/2018/5962624

DO - 10.1155/2018/5962624

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29849593

SN - 1687-6121

VL - 2018

JO - Gastroenterology Research and Practice

JF - Gastroenterology Research and Practice

M1 - 5962624

ER -