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BMC Pulmonary Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

IL-27 alleviates the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the Th17 cell differentiation

Authors: Zhaoxing Dong, Xin Lu, Yanni Yang, Tao Zhang, Yongxia Li, Yanlin Chai, Wen Lei, Changbo Li, Li Ai, Wenlin Tai

Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Background

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a multifunctional cytokine with both pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory functions. At present, the role of IL-27 in pulmonary fibrosis remains unknown.

Methods

In this study, we observed the expression of IL-27/IL-27R in a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We verified the role of IL-27 using hematoxylin and eosin as well as Masson’s staining methods and measuring the content of hydroxyproline as well as collagen I and III. We assessed the differentiation of T lymphocytes in the spleen and measured the concentration of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the expression level of relevant proteins in the JAK/STAT and TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathways in lung tissue.

Results

Increased IL-27 expression in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis was noted. IL-27 treatment may alleviate pulmonary fibrosis and increase the survival of mice. IL-27 inhibited the development of CD4⁺ IL-17⁺, CD4⁺ IL-4⁺ T, and CD4⁺ Foxp3⁺ cells and the secretion of IL-17, IL-4, IL-6, and TGF-ß. IL-27 induced the production of CD4⁺ IL-10⁺ and CD4⁺ INF-γ⁺ T cells. IL-27 decreased the levels of phosphorylated STAT1, STAT3, STAT5, Smad1, and Smad3 but increased the level of SOCS3.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that IL-27 potentially attenuates BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating Th17 differentiation and cytokine secretion.

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Title: IL-27 alleviates the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the Th17 cell differentiation
Authors: Zhaoxing Dong
Xin Lu
Yanni Yang
Tao Zhang
Yongxia Li
Yanlin Chai
Wen Lei
Changbo Li
Li Ai
Wenlin Tai
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2466
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-015-0012-4

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IL-27 alleviates the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the Th17 cell differentiation

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

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