TL1A induces TCR independent IL-6 and TNF-α production and growth of PLZF+ leukocytes

Kirsten Reichwald, Tina Z. Jørgensen, Peter Tougaard, Søren Skov

    15 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    An elevated level of the cytokine TL1A is known to be associated with several autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the mode of action of TL1A remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the role of TL1A in a pro-inflammatory setting, using human leukocytes purified from healthy donors. We show that TL1A, together with IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18, directly induces the production of IL-6 and TNF-α from leukocytes. Interestingly, TL1A-induced IL-6 was not produced by CD14(+) monocytes. We further show that the produced IL-6 is fully functional, as measured by its ability to signal through the IL-6 receptor, and that the induction of IL-6 is independent of TCR stimulation. Furthermore, the transcription factor PLZF was induced in stimulated cells. These results offer a substantial explanation for the role of TL1A, since TNF-α and IL-6 are directly responsible for much of the inflammatory state in many autoimmune diseases. Our study suggests that TL1A is a possible target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere85793
    JournalPloS one
    Volume9
    Issue number1
    Number of pages12
    ISSN1932-6203
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 8 Jan 2014

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