Work

Cutting Edge: Soluble IL-6R Is Produced by IL-6R Ectodomain Shedding in Activated CD4 T Cells

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: IL-6 trans-signaling via the soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) plays an important role in the progression of several autoimmune diseases and cancer by providing IL-6-responsiveness to cells lacking IL-6R. However, the potential sources of sIL-6R are less understood. In this study we show that sIL-6R is produced by both naive and memory CD4 T cells upon TCR activation. The production of sIL-6R by activated CD4 T cells is mediated by shedding of the membrane-bound IL-6R, and this process correlates with the expression of the metalloproteinase ADAM17 in these cells. In contrast to CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells do not express ADAM17 and their production of sIL-6R is negligible. Thus, during an immune response CD4 T cells are an important source of sIL-6R. Production of sIL-6R by autoreactive CD4 T cells may contribute to their role in the development of autoimmune disease by conferring IL-6-responsiveness to cells lacking IL-6R such as synoviocytes.

Source: The Journal of Immunology

DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.11.7102

Authors: Eva M Briso, Oliver Dienz, Mercedes Rincon

Institution: University of Vermont

Language: English

Topic: Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Center for Research Resources