Interleukin (IL)-23 mediates Toxoplasma gondii-induced immunopathology in the gut via matrixmetalloproteinase-2 and IL-22 but independent of IL-17

Melba Muñoz, Markus M Heimesaat, Kerstin Danker, Daniela Struck, Uwe Lohmann, Rita Plickert, Stefan Bereswill, André Fischer, Ildikò Rita Dunay, Kerstin Wolk, Christoph Loddenkemper, Hans-Willi Krell, Claude Libert, Leif R Lund, Oliver Frey, Christoph Hölscher, Yoichiro Iwakura, Nico Ghilardi, Wenjun Ouyang, Thomas KamradtRobert Sabat, Oliver Liesenfeld

189 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Peroral infection with Toxoplasma gondii leads to the development of small intestinal inflammation dependent on Th1 cytokines. The role of Th17 cells in ileitis is unknown. We report interleukin (IL)-23-mediated gelatinase A (matrixmetalloproteinase [MMP]-2) up-regulation in the ileum of infected mice. MMP-2 deficiency as well as therapeutic or prophylactic selective gelatinase blockage protected mice from the development of T. gondii-induced immunopathology. Moreover, IL-23-dependent up-regulation of IL-22 was essential for the development of ileitis, whereas IL-17 was down-regulated and dispensable. CD4(+) T cells were the main source of IL-22 in the small intestinal lamina propria. Thus, IL-23 regulates small intestinal inflammation via IL-22 but independent of IL-17. Gelatinases may be useful targets for treatment of intestinal inflammation.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume206
Issue number13
Pages (from-to)3047-59
Number of pages12
ISSN0022-1007
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

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