Cutting edge: IL-6-driven immune dysregulation is strictly dependent on IL-6R a-chain expression

  • Ilgiz A. Mufazalov
  • , David Andruszewski
  • , Carsten Schelmbauer
  • , Sylvia Heink
  • , Michaela Blanfeld
  • , Joumana Masri
  • , Yilang Tang
  • , Rebecca Schüler
  • , Christina Eich
  • , F. Thomas Wunderlich
  • , Susanne H. Karbach
  • , Jeffrey A. Bluestone
  • , Thomas Korn
  • , Ari Waisman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

IL-6 binds to the IL-6R a-chain (IL-6Ra) and signals via the signal transducer gp130. Recently, IL-6 was found to also bind to the cell surface glycoprotein CD5, which would then engage gp130 in the absence of IL-6Ra. However, the biological relevance of this alternative pathway is under debate. In this study, we developed a mouse model, in which murine IL-6 is overexpressed in a CD11c-Cre-dependent manner. Transgenic mice developed a lethal immune dysregulation syndrome with increased numbers of Ly-6G+ neutrophils and Ly-6Chi monocytes/macrophages. IL-6 overexpression promoted activation of CD4+ T cells while suppressing CD5+ B-1a cell development. However, additional ablation of IL-6Ra protected IL-6-overexpressing mice from IL-6-triggered inflammation and fully phenocopied IL-6Ra-deficient mice without IL-6 overexpression. Mechanistically, IL-6Ra deficiency completely prevented downstream activation of STAT3 in response to IL-6. Altogether, our data clarify that IL-6Ra is the only biologically relevant receptor for IL-6 in mice. The Journal of Immunology, 2020, 204: 747-751.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)747-751
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume204
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Feb 2020

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