A critical role of IL-17 in modulating the B-cell response during H5N1 influenza virus infection

Xiaohui Wang, Chris C.S. Chan, Min Yang, Jun Deng, Vincent K.M. Poon, Virtual H.C. Leung, King Hung Ko, Jie Zhou, Kwok Yung Yuen, Bo Jian Zheng, Liwei Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a member of the IL-17 cytokine family, plays a crucial role in mediating the immune response against extracellular bacteria and fungi in the lung. Although there is increasing evidence that IL-17 is involved in protective immunity against H1 and H3 influenza virus infections, little is known about the role of IL-17 in the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus infection. In this study, we show that H5N1-infected IL-17 knockout (KO) mice exhibit markedly increased weight loss, more pronounced lung immunopathology and significantly reduced survival rates as compared with infected wild-type controls. Moreover, the frequency of B cells in the lung were substantially decreased in IL-17 KO mice after virus infection, which correlated with reduced CXCR5 expression in B cells and decreased CXCL13 production in the lung tissue of IL-17 KO mice. Consistent with this observation, B cells from IL-17 KO mice exhibited a significant reduction in chemokine-mediated migration in culture. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a critical role for IL-17 in mediating the recruitment of B cells to the site of pulmonary influenza virus infection in mice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)462-468
Number of pages7
JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology
Volume8
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Keywords

  • B cell
  • H5N1 influenza virus
  • IL-17
  • lung infection

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