The Role of Interleukin-11 in the Development of the Autoimmune Response in Multiple Sclerosis

Our results introduce interleukin (IL)-11 as a new cytokine that may play a role in the development of the autoimmune response in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR MS). IL-11 was found to be the highest up-regulated cytokine in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS. It was also increased in the serum and CSF of patients with clinically definitive RRMS and during the clinical relapses of the disease. CD4+ cells represent a predominant cell source of IL-11 in the peripheral circulation, and the percentage of IL-11+CD4+ cells is significantly increased in CIS patients in comparison to healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, we have identified IL-11 as a new Th17-promoting cytokine. IL-11 induces a differentiation of nave CD4+ T cells into Th17 cells, as well as Th17 memory cell expansion, characterized by secretion of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21 and IL-22. Since the Th17 cytokines IL-17F, IL-21 and TNF- induced differentiation of nave cells in the IL-11-secreting CD4+ cells, we propose that cross-talk between IL-11+CD4+ and Th17-cells may play a role in the initiation and propagation of the autoimmune response in RRMS.

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Zhang X, Tao Y, Chopra M, Dujmovic-Basuroski I, Jin J, Tang Y, Drulovic J, Markovic-Plese S