Evaluation of IL-23p19/Ebi3 (IL-39) gingival crevicular fluid levels in periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: IL-23p19/Ebi3 (IL-39) was described as a new IL-12 family member. The aim of this study is to evaluate the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) IL-39 levels in periodontal diseases and health and to correlate them to GCF levels of IL-1ß and periostin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six adult patients were included in the study. The study design was comprised of three groups, each containing 22 individuals: the periodontally healthy (PH), gingivitis (G), and periodontitis (P) groups. The clinical periodontal parameters were recorded and GCF samples were collected from the participants. GCF interleukin (IL)-39, IL-1ß, and periostin levels were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: GCF IL­1ß, periostin, and IL-39 levels were higher in the P and G groups than in the PH group (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were detected between all GCF biochemical parameters and clinical periodontal parameters (p < 0.05). In the multivariate generalized linear regression analysis, the P (ß = 37.6, 95% CI = 22.9-52.4) and G (ß = 28.4, 95% CI = 15.8-41) groups were associated with GCF IL-39 levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: IL-39 levels were elevated in the presence of periodontal disease paralleling the increase in IL­1ß and periostin levels. IL-39 may have a role in the periodontal inflammation process. STATEMENT OF CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IL-39, a new cytokine from the IL-12 family, can be a possible predictor marker of periodontal diseases.

Mucosal IL23A expression predicts the response to Ustekinumab in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Biologics against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) and the p40 subunit of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 are increasingly used in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment. However, information on response prediction to these agents is limited. Thus, we aimed to identify factors for IBD treatment response prediction. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in 33 IBD subjects for anti-TNF and a prospective study of 23 IBD and 11 non-IBD subjects for ustekinumab (UST). Mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained before treatment with biologics. The expression of 18 immune-related genes encoding representative cytokines and transcription factors was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There was no difference between the treatment-resistant and -sensitive groups with regard to clinical characteristics. A higher expression of oncostatin M (OSM) and its receptor OSMR in the intestinal mucosa was most strongly associated with anti-TNF resistance, whereas lower IL23A expression was most strongly associated with UST resistance. In addition to the absolute expression levels of genes, concordant or discordant expression patterns of particular gene sets were associated with treatment sensitivity and resistance. CONCLUSIONS: The association of anti-TNF resistance and mucosal OSM and OSMR expression was consistent with the results of a previous study in a European cohort. Our observation that IBD subjects with higher mucosal IL23A expression were more likely to achieve remission by UST has not been previously reported. The response to biologics may thus be predicted in IBD patients through the analysis of mucosal gene expression levels and patterns.

Significant reduction in the expression of interleukins-17A, 22 and 23A, forkhead box p3 and interferon gamma delineates lichen planus pigmentosus from lichen planus.

Recent studies have noticed significant role of interleukin (IL)-17, 22, 23, Foxp3, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Wnt5a in oral and cutaneous lichen planus (LP). This study was undertaken to assess whether similar expression exists in lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP). We recruited 30 patients of treatment-naïve 'LPP' (in absence of cutaneous/mucosal LP elsewhere, group 1), 10 patients having active treatment-naïve cutaneous 'LP' (group 2), 10 patients having 'post-LP' hyperpigmentation (in absence of active LP and off treatment for at least past 3 months, group 3), and 10 controls. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR, peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] and skin) and immunohistochemistry (IHC, skin) was performed. mRNA expression (in PBMCs) of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23A, IFN-γ and Foxp3 was significantly decreased in group 1 and 3 as compared to group 2 (p < 0.05). Wnt5a expression was maximal in controls; and while there was no difference between group 1 and 2; whereas expression in group 3 was significantly lesser than group 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). qRT-PCR (skin) and IHC (skin) revealed similar results; and mRNA expression and mean fluorescence intensity of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23A/R was significantly increased in group 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (p < 0.05). Mean fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of IFN-γ, Foxp3 and Wnt5a were significantly increased in group 2 compared to group 1 (p < 0.05); whereas the difference between group 1 and 3 was not significant. Mean fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of IL-17A, 1L-22 and IFN-γ showed no difference between group 2 and 3; whereas that of IL-23A/R, foxp3 and wnt5a were significantly higher in group 2 than group 3 (p < 0.05). Overall, maximal expression of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23A, IFN-γ and Foxp3 (mRNA PBMCs) was observed in LP. Minimal expression of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23A/R, IFN-γ and Foxp3 (mRNA skin and IHC skin) was seen in LPP patients. In contrast to LP, LPP lacks the expression of IFN-γ, Foxp3 and the cytokines representing Th17 pathway, and thus seems to have a distinct pathogenesis.

IL23 and TGF-ß diminish macrophage associated metastasis in pancreatic carcinoma.

The precise role of tumor associated macrophages remains unclear in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) while TGF-ß has an unclear role in metastases formation. In order to understand the role of IL23, an interleukin associated with macrophage polarization, we investigated IL23 in the context of TGF-ß expression in PDAC. We hypothesized that IL23 expression is associated with metastatic development and survival in PDAC. We investigated IL23 and TGF-ß protein expression on resected PDAC patient tumor sections who were divided into short-term (<12 months) survivors and long-term (>30 months) survivors. Panc-1 cells treated with IL23, TGF-ß, macrophages, or combinations thereof, were orthotopically implanted into NSG mice. Patients in the long-term survivor group had higher IL23 protein expression (P = 0.01). IL23 expression was linearly correlated with TGF-ß expression in patients in the short-term survivor group (P = 0.038). Macrophages induce a higher rate of PDAC metastasis in the mouse model (P = 0.02), which is abrogated by IL23 and TGF-ß treatment (P < 0.001). Macrophages serve a critical role in PDAC tumor growth and metastasis. TGF-ß contributes to a less tumorigenic TME through regulation of macrophages. Macrophages increases PDAC primary tumor growth and metastases formation while combined IL23 and TGF-ß pre-treatment diminishes these processes.

Interleukin-21 expression and its association with proinflammatory cytokines in untreated chronic periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-21 (IL-21) controls the differentiation of T-helper Th17 cells and induces the production of IL-17 in this T-cell subtype. The aim of this study is to determine the relative expression of IL-21 in gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis patients and correlate/associate this expression with proinflammatory cytokines and clinical parameters of disease. METHODS: Samples of gingival biopsies were collected from chronic periodontitis patients (n = 10) and controls (n = 8). The mRNA expressions of IL-21, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) were quantified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. IL-21 levels were compared between chronic periodontitis and healthy gingival tissues and correlated with cytokine and clinical parameters of tissue destruction. RESULTS: A significant overexpression of IL-21, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23p19 was detected in periodontal disease-affected tissues compared to healthy gingival tissues. IL-10 and TGF-ß1 were, however, downregulated in periodontal lesions. IL-21 yielded significant positive correlations with probing depth, clinical attachment level, IL-1ß, and IL-6. In addition, IL-21 was negatively correlated with IL-10 and TGF-ß1. CONCLUSIONS: IL-21 was overexpressed in chronic periodontitis gingival tissues and correlated with clinical parameters of periodontal destruction and with proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, IL-21 might play a role in the tissue destruction that characterizes chronic periodontal disease.

Cellular and molecular effects of pulsed dye laser and local narrow-band UVB therapy in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy is effective in clearing psoriasis plaques, but the mechanism of action is only partially understood. Local narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), which has a better-defined mode of action, is an effective standard treatment for psoriasis. Our aim was to evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of PDL and to compare them with those of local NB-UVB in order to gain further insight into their mechanisms of action in psoriasis. STUDY DESIGN/PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with stable plaque-type psoriasis were treated either with PDL or NB-UVB. Lesional punch biopsies were obtained from all patients before treatment. Additional biopsies were obtained at 3 and 24 hours after PDL treatment in five of these patients. In 14 patients additional biopsies were taken after 7 and 13 weeks of treatment. Samples were histopathologically examined for the level of dermal T cell infiltrate, and the expression of epidermal beta-defensin 2, immune cell-derived tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, endothelial E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 and 3, and the expression of interleukin (IL)-23 before and after treatment. RESULTS: The expression of VEGFR2, VEGFR3, and E-selectin was decreased in clinically high responders within 24 hours after PDL treatment. The expression of IL-23, TNF-alpha mRNA, and E-selectin protein were significantly reduced after two PDL treatments, whereas the expression of all epidermal markers and dermal T cell infiltrates had normalized after four treatments. The expression of epidermal activation markers and E-selectin were significantly reduced after 13 weeks of NB-UVB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of epidermal activation markers and the dermal T cell infiltrates were decreased after both treatments. The decreased expression of VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 followed by the down-regulation of TNF-alpha and IL-23p19 may be contributory factors in the efficacy of PDL in stable plaque-type psoriasis.

Abundant expression of the interleukin (IL)23 subunit p19, but low levels of bioactive IL23 in the rheumatoid synovium: differential expression and Toll-like receptor-(TLR) dependent regulation of the IL23 subunits, p19 and p40, in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin (IL)23, composed of a p19 and a p40 subunit, is suggested to play key roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), dependent on the promotion and proliferation of IL17-producing T helper (Th)17 cells. However, previous studies on IL23 expression in human tissues were based on the p19 subunit only. We aimed to study the expression and regulation of IL23 subunits p19 and p40 in RA compared to patients with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: The expression of p19 and p40 in synovial tissues was analysed by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. IL23 in RA and OA synovial fluids and sera was determined by ELISA. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-dependent induction of p19, p40 and bioactive IL23 was determined in RA synovial fibroblasts (RASF), monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) by real-time PCR and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, Western blot and functional assays. RESULTS: The p19 subunit was abundantly expressed in RA but not in OA synovial tissues. p19 was most prominently expressed by RASF in the synovial lining layer and at the site of invasion, but no heterodimeric IL23 was detected at these sites. Correspondingly, soluble IL23 was not detectable or found at very low levels in synovial fluids and sera of patients with RA. By in vitro experiments, we confirmed that TLR-activated RASF expressed p19 but not p40, in contrast to monocytes, which produced IL23 following TLR stimulation. CONCLUSION: The TLR-dependent induction of p19 but not p40 in RASF and the abundant expression of p19 along with the low or undetectable levels of IL23 in patients with RA provides strong evidence that p19 does not necessarily indicate the presence of IL23, as has been proposed to date.