Type I interferons have opposing effects during the emergence and recovery phases of colitis

Isabella Rauch, Eva Hainzl, Felix Rosebrock, Susanne Heider, Clarissa Schwab, David Berry, Dagmar Stoiber, Michael Wagner, Christa Schleper, Alexander Loy, Tim Urich, Mathias Müller, Birgit Strobl, Lukas Kenner, Thomas Decker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

The contribution of the innate immune system to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is under intensive investigation. Research in animal models has demonstrated that type I interferons (IFN-Is) protect from IBD. In contrast, studies of patients with IBD have produced conflicting results concerning the therapeutic potential of IFN-Is. Here, we present data suggesting that IFN-Is play dual roles as regulators of intestinal inflammation in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Though IFN-Is reduced acute intestinal damage and the abundance of colitis-associated intestinal bacteria caused by treatment with a high dose of DSS, they also inhibited the resolution of inflammation after DSS treatment. IFN-Is played an anti-inflammatory role by suppressing the release of IL-1β from the colon MHC class II+ cells. Consistently, IL-1 receptor blockade reduced the severity of inflammation in IFN-I receptor-deficient mice and myeloid cell-restricted ablation of the IFN-I receptor was detrimental. The proinflammatory role of IFN-Is during recovery from DSS treatment was caused by IFN-I-dependent cell apoptosis as well as an increase in chemokine production and infiltrating inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils. Thus, IFN-Is play opposing roles in specific phases of intestinal injury and inflammation, which may be important for guiding treatment strategies in patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2749-2760
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology
Volume44
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Colitis
  • Inflammation
  • Interferons
  • Interleukin-1
  • Microbiota

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Type I interferons have opposing effects during the emergence and recovery phases of colitis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this