From HIV to cancer
IL-37 regulates the immune system
sci-lib based on ScienceDaily: From HIV to cancer, IL-37 regulates immune systemThe results of a study conducted by specialists of the University of Colorado Cancer Research Center, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Luo et al., Suppression of antigen-specific adaptive immunity by IL-37 via induction of tolerant dendritic cells) describe the activity of interleukin 37 (IL-37), a protein involved in in the work of the immune system.
It is known to suppress inflammation. The current study reports its activity within the adaptive immune system: IL-37 suppresses the ability of the immune system to recognize new antigens and exert proper influence on them.
"Knowing the mechanism that underlies the effects of IL-37 now allows us to study the work of IL-37 and, possibly, the dysfunction of a wide range of diseases," says Mayumi Fujita, an employee of the Cancer Research Center at the University of Colorado, associate professor of Dermatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
For example, understanding that IL-37 is involved in regulating the sensitivity of the immune system can help scientists manipulate the content of IL-37 to sensitize the immune system to recognize tumor tissues and fight them. Or, conversely, desensitization of immunity in the case of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can resist their development.
IL-37 is a representative of the group of interleukins (38 in total are known) – proteins responsible for the transfer of information in the immune system. The results of the current study show that IL-37 works through the regulation of dendritic cells that capture, process and present new antigens. Dendritic cells form in the bone marrow and migrate to parts of the body that normally come into contact with new antigens, such as the skin or tissue lining the intestine. Immature dendritic cells, being in the parts of the body that come into contact with antigens, are ready to capture new antigens. Mature dendritic cells capture the antigen, then migrate with it to the lymph nodes, where they work, coordinating the immune response to the new antigen. The current study shows that IL-37 promotes the formation of semi-mature dendritic cells that migrate to the lymph nodes, but are not capable of presenting antigens so that an immune response develops. As if IL-37 helps to maintain dendritic cells in a semi-mature state, preventing them from being sensitized to new antigens.
The study showed a reduced response of the immune system of mice by the production of IL-37. There was a decreased activity of CD40, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-12, all of which are involved in the creation of an immune response.
"This implies that IL-37 may be a key component of immune system regulation," says Mayumi Fujita. In her opinion, the content of IL-37 affects other components of the immune response.
When scientists transplanted dendritic cells isolated from the lymph nodes of IL-37 mice, as well as dendritic cells isolated from wild-type mice, to other mice, they saw much less sensitization by antigen in mice that received dendritic cells from the IL-37 line. These IL-37-expressing dendritic cells could not sensitize the immune system and, therefore, could not trigger an immune response.
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