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IL-2Rβγ signalling in lymphocytes promotes systemic inflammation and reduces plasma cholesterol in atherosclerotic mice

Mulholland, Megan LU ; Jakobsson, Gabriel LU ; Lei, Yu ; Sundius, Lena LU ; Ljungcrantz, Irena LU ; Rattik, Sara LU ; Tietge, Uwe J F and Engelbertsen, Daniel LU (2021) In Atherosclerosis 326. p.1-10
Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The relationship between inflammation and lipid metabolism is complex and bidirectional. Lymphocyte-driven inflammation has been shown to modulate both atherosclerotic plaque development and cholesterol levels, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood.

METHODS: The cardiometabolic effects of IL-2Rβγ signalling in atherosclerotic Apoe-/- mice were investigated by treatment with an agonistic IL-2Rβγ-targeting IL-2/anti-IL-2 complex or a monoclonal anti-CD122 (IL-2Rβ) blocking antibody.

RESULTS: Administration of IL-2Rβγ agonistic IL-2/anti-IL-2 complexes to Apoe-/- mice augmented opposing arms of the adaptive immune system. Expansion of effector/memory T cells and increased levels of circulating... (More)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The relationship between inflammation and lipid metabolism is complex and bidirectional. Lymphocyte-driven inflammation has been shown to modulate both atherosclerotic plaque development and cholesterol levels, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood.

METHODS: The cardiometabolic effects of IL-2Rβγ signalling in atherosclerotic Apoe-/- mice were investigated by treatment with an agonistic IL-2Rβγ-targeting IL-2/anti-IL-2 complex or a monoclonal anti-CD122 (IL-2Rβ) blocking antibody.

RESULTS: Administration of IL-2Rβγ agonistic IL-2/anti-IL-2 complexes to Apoe-/- mice augmented opposing arms of the adaptive immune system. Expansion of effector/memory T cells and increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed along with elevated levels of regulatory T cells and IL-10. Notably, IL-2/anti-IL-2 treatment did not affect plaque size but decreased levels of plasma cholesterol. The cholesterol lowering effect of IL-2Rβγ agonism was not affected by anti-CD8 or anti-NK1.1 depleting antibody treatment but was contingent on the presence of adaptive immunity. Expression of multiple liver X receptor (LXR)-related genes, including Pltp and Srebp1c in the liver, was decreased by IL-2/anti-IL-2 treatment. Although IL-2Rβγ agonism lowered cholesterol levels, blocking IL-2Rβγ signalling using an anti-CD122 monoclonal antibody did not impact cholesterol levels or plaque burden in Apoe-/- mice.

CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IL-2Rβγ signalling results in activation of both inflammatory and regulatory lymphocytes with a net zero effect on atherosclerosis and decreased plasma cholesterol levels. Changes in cholesterol levels were associated with reductions in hepatic LXR-related gene expression. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical significance of IL-2 mediated modulation of hepatic LXR signalling in inflammatory disorders.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Atherosclerosis
volume
326
pages
10 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85107902341
  • pmid:33945906
ISSN
1879-1484
DOI
10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.04.010
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b0f1a0be-1659-49a2-9ae9-dd1f07c1a057
date added to LUP
2021-05-06 09:20:15
date last changed
2024-06-15 10:54:00
@article{b0f1a0be-1659-49a2-9ae9-dd1f07c1a057,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The relationship between inflammation and lipid metabolism is complex and bidirectional. Lymphocyte-driven inflammation has been shown to modulate both atherosclerotic plaque development and cholesterol levels, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood.</p><p>METHODS: The cardiometabolic effects of IL-2Rβγ signalling in atherosclerotic Apoe-/- mice were investigated by treatment with an agonistic IL-2Rβγ-targeting IL-2/anti-IL-2 complex or a monoclonal anti-CD122 (IL-2Rβ) blocking antibody.</p><p>RESULTS: Administration of IL-2Rβγ agonistic IL-2/anti-IL-2 complexes to Apoe-/- mice augmented opposing arms of the adaptive immune system. Expansion of effector/memory T cells and increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed along with elevated levels of regulatory T cells and IL-10. Notably, IL-2/anti-IL-2 treatment did not affect plaque size but decreased levels of plasma cholesterol. The cholesterol lowering effect of IL-2Rβγ agonism was not affected by anti-CD8 or anti-NK1.1 depleting antibody treatment but was contingent on the presence of adaptive immunity. Expression of multiple liver X receptor (LXR)-related genes, including Pltp and Srebp1c in the liver, was decreased by IL-2/anti-IL-2 treatment. Although IL-2Rβγ agonism lowered cholesterol levels, blocking IL-2Rβγ signalling using an anti-CD122 monoclonal antibody did not impact cholesterol levels or plaque burden in Apoe-/- mice.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IL-2Rβγ signalling results in activation of both inflammatory and regulatory lymphocytes with a net zero effect on atherosclerosis and decreased plasma cholesterol levels. Changes in cholesterol levels were associated with reductions in hepatic LXR-related gene expression. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical significance of IL-2 mediated modulation of hepatic LXR signalling in inflammatory disorders.</p>}},
  author       = {{Mulholland, Megan and Jakobsson, Gabriel and Lei, Yu and Sundius, Lena and Ljungcrantz, Irena and Rattik, Sara and Tietge, Uwe J F and Engelbertsen, Daniel}},
  issn         = {{1879-1484}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  pages        = {{1--10}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Atherosclerosis}},
  title        = {{IL-2Rβγ signalling in lymphocytes promotes systemic inflammation and reduces plasma cholesterol in atherosclerotic mice}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.04.010}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.04.010}},
  volume       = {{326}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}