Anti-Inflammatory Effects of IL-27 in Zymosan-Induced Peritonitis: Inhibition of Neutrophil Recruitment Partially Explained by Impaired Mobilization from Bone Marrow and Reduced Chemokine Levels

PLOS ONE, 2015 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137651 · Published: September 11, 2015

Simple Explanation

The study investigates the role of IL-27, a cytokine, in controlling inflammation, specifically its effects on neutrophils, a type of immune cell, during zymosan-induced peritonitis, an inflammatory condition in the abdominal cavity. The researchers found that IL-27 reduces the number of neutrophils recruited to the peritoneal cavity in response to zymosan, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect. This reduction appears to be partly due to IL-27's ability to limit the release of neutrophils from the bone marrow and decrease the levels of certain chemokines, which are signaling molecules that attract neutrophils.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Male C57BL/6 mice, 6–10 weeks old, weighing 20–25 g

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
IL-27 treatment reduces neutrophil accumulation in the peritoneal cavity in a zymosan-induced peritonitis model.
2
IL-27 reduces neutrophil levels in the blood, suggesting a systemic effect beyond just the site of inflammation.
3
IL-27 suppresses the mobilization of neutrophils from the bone marrow, contributing to the reduced neutrophil numbers in the blood and peritoneal cavity.

Research Summary

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory role of IL-27 in zymosan-induced peritonitis, focusing on its effects on neutrophil recruitment. The results demonstrate that IL-27 reduces neutrophil accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, reduces neutrophil levels in the blood, and suppresses neutrophil mobilization from the bone marrow. The study also found that IL-27 treatment leads to decreased levels of certain chemokines (KC, MCP-1, and MIP-1α) in the peritoneal fluid, which may contribute to the reduced neutrophil recruitment.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

IL-27 could be a therapeutic option to control leukocyte-mediated immunopathology in infectious or sterile inflammatory diseases.

Novel Mechanism

The study uncovers a novel mechanism of anti-inflammatory cytokines by showing that IL-27 is able to suppress inflammatory reactions by stopping the enhanced release of neutrophils from the bone marrow.

Innate Immunity Impact

IL-27 has a distinct impact on the innate arm of inflammatory responses, independent from its well-described effects on T cells.

Study Limitations

1
The study does not fully elucidate how IL-27 controls neutrophil release from the bone marrow.
2
The exact mechanism by which IL-27 affects chemokine levels in the peritoneal fluid and whether this directly impacts neutrophil mobilization from the bone marrow remains unclear.
3
The study acknowledges that it cannot exclude the possibility that IL-27 influences the migration of neutrophils into other organs.

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