Yombo, D. J. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2022

Interleukin 31 receptor alpha induces airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and goblet cell hyperplasia. Both Th1 and Th2 cytokines, including IFN-{gamma}, IL-4, and IL-13 have been shown to induce asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We observed a significant increase in the expression of IL-31RA, but not its cognate ligand IL-31 during house dust mite- and Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen-induced allergic asthma. In support of this, IFN-{gamma} and Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, upregulated IL-31RA but not IL-31 in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC). Importantly, the loss of IL-31RA attenuated AHR but had no effects on inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in allergic asthma or mice treated with IL-13 or IFN{gamma}. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that IL-31RA functions as a positive regulator of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 3 (CHRM3) expression and calcium signaling involved in the contractility of ASMC. Together, these results identified a novel role for IL-31RA in ASMC contractility and AHR distinct from airway inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in asthma. SummaryThe study identified an important role for the IL-31RA-CHRM3 axis in inducing airway hyperresponsiveness with limited changes in inflammation in allergic asthma. IL-31RA, whose expression is regulated by both Th1 and Th2 cytokines, augments the CHRM3-dependent contractility of ASMC and AHR.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2020

The loss of IL-31 signaling attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a severe fibrotic lung disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition and progressive decline in lung function. Multiple Th2 T cell-derived cytokines including IL-4 and IL-13 have been shown to contribute to inflammation and fibrotic remodeling in multiple tissues. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a newly identified cytokine that is predominantly produced by CD4 TH2 T cells, but its signaling receptor called IL-31RA has been shown predominately expressed by non-hematopoietic cells. However, the potential role of the IL-31-IL31RA axis in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis has remained largely unknown. To determine the role of IL-31 signaling in pulmonary fibrosis, wildtype, and IL-31RA knockout mice were treated with bleomycin and measured changes in collagen deposition and lung function. Notably, the loss of IL-31 signaling attenuated collagen deposition and lung function decline during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, the loss of IL-31RA signaling did not affect inflammation in the lungs. The total lung transcriptome analysis showed a significant reduction in fibrosis-associated gene transcripts including ECM- and epithelial cell-associated gene networks. Furthermore, the lungs of IPF showed an elevated expression of IL-31 when compared to control subjects. In support, the percentage of IL-31 producing CD4+ T cells was greater in the lungs and PBMCs from IPF patients compared to healthy controls. Our findings suggest a pathogenic role for IL-31/IL-31RA signaling during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In summary, therapeutic targeting of the IL-31-IL-31RA axis could be beneficial in pulmonary fibrosis and has translational benefits specifically by preventing collagen deposition and improving lung function.

immunology↗