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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.09.03.280735

Alcohol dependence promotes systemic IFN-γ and IL-17 responses in mice

Frank, K.·Abeynaike, S.·Nikzad, R.·Patel, R. R.·Roberts, A. J.·Roberto, M.·Paust, S.
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Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD is associated with a variety of physiological changes and is a substantial risk factor for numerous diseases. We aimed to characterize systemic alterations in immune responses using a mouse model of chronic intermittent alcohol exposure to induce alcohol dependence. We exposed mice to chronic intermittent ethanol vapor for 4 weeks and used multiparametric flow cytometry to analyze the expression of cytokines IFN-{gamma}, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-17 by different immune cells in the blood, spleen and liver of alcohol dependent and non-dependent control mice. We found increases in IFN-{gamma} and IL-17 expression in a cell type- and organ-specific manner. Often, B cells and neutrophils are primary contributors to increased IFN-{gamma} and IL-17 levels while other cell types play a secondary role. We conclude that chronic alcohol exposure promotes systemic pro-inflammatory IFN-{gamma} and IL-17 responses in mice. These responses are likely important in the development of alcohol-related diseases, but further characterization is necessary to understand the initiation and effects of systemic inflammatory responses to chronic alcohol exposure.

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Frank, K., Abeynaike, S., Nikzad, R., Patel, R. R., Roberts, A. J., Roberto, M., Paust, S.. 2020-09-03. Alcohol dependence promotes systemic IFN-γ and IL-17 responses in mice. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.03.280735

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