Genetic Deletion of IL (Interleukin)-19 Exacerbates Atherogenesis in Il19−−×Ldlr−− Double Knockout Mice by Dysregulation of mRNA Stability Protein HuR (Human antigen R).pdf (4.12 MB)
Genetic Deletion of IL (Interleukin)-19 Exacerbates Atherogenesis in Il19−−×Ldlr−− Double Knockout Mice by Dysregulation of mRNA Stability Protein HuR (Human antigen R).pdf
journal contribution
posted on 2019-03-08, 13:34 authored by Mitali Ray, Khatuna Gabunia, Christine N. Vrakas, Allison B. Herman, Farah Kako, Sheri E. Kelemen, Laurel A. Grisanti, Michael V. AutieriObjective—To test the hypothesis that loss of IL (interleukin)-19 exacerbates atherosclerosis.
Approach and Results—Il19−/− mice were crossed into Ldlr−/− (low-density lipoprotein receptor knock out) mice. Double
knockout (dKO) mice had increased plaque burden in aortic arch and root compared with Ldlr−/− controls after 14 weeks
of high-fat diet (HFD). dKO mice injected with 10 ng/g per day rmIL-19 had significantly less plaque compared with
controls. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed dKO mice had increased systemic and intraplaque polarization of T
cells and macrophages to proinflammatory Th1 and M1 phenotypes, and also significantly increased TNF (tumor necrosis
factor)-α expression in spleen and aortic arch compared with Ldlr−/− controls. Bone marrow transplantation suggests
that immune cells participate in IL-19 protection. Bone marrow-derived macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells
isolated from dKO mice had a significantly greater expression of inflammatory cytokine mRNA and protein compared
with controls. Spleen and aortic arch from dKO mice had significantly increased expression of the mRNA stability
protein HuR (human antigen R). Bone marrow-derived macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell isolated from dKO
mice also had greater HuR abundance. HuR stabilizes proinflammatory transcripts by binding AU-rich elements in the
3′ untranslated region. Cytokine and HuR mRNA stability were increased in dKO bone marrow-derived macrophage
and vascular smooth muscle cell, which was rescued by addition of IL-19 to these cells. IL-19–induced expression of
miR133a, which targets and reduced HuR abundance; miR133a levels were lower in dKO mice compared with controls.
Conclusions—These data indicate that IL-19 is an atheroprotective cytokine which decreases the abundance of HuR,
leading to reduced inflammatory mRNA stability.
Approach and Results—Il19−/− mice were crossed into Ldlr−/− (low-density lipoprotein receptor knock out) mice. Double
knockout (dKO) mice had increased plaque burden in aortic arch and root compared with Ldlr−/− controls after 14 weeks
of high-fat diet (HFD). dKO mice injected with 10 ng/g per day rmIL-19 had significantly less plaque compared with
controls. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed dKO mice had increased systemic and intraplaque polarization of T
cells and macrophages to proinflammatory Th1 and M1 phenotypes, and also significantly increased TNF (tumor necrosis
factor)-α expression in spleen and aortic arch compared with Ldlr−/− controls. Bone marrow transplantation suggests
that immune cells participate in IL-19 protection. Bone marrow-derived macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells
isolated from dKO mice had a significantly greater expression of inflammatory cytokine mRNA and protein compared
with controls. Spleen and aortic arch from dKO mice had significantly increased expression of the mRNA stability
protein HuR (human antigen R). Bone marrow-derived macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell isolated from dKO
mice also had greater HuR abundance. HuR stabilizes proinflammatory transcripts by binding AU-rich elements in the
3′ untranslated region. Cytokine and HuR mRNA stability were increased in dKO bone marrow-derived macrophage
and vascular smooth muscle cell, which was rescued by addition of IL-19 to these cells. IL-19–induced expression of
miR133a, which targets and reduced HuR abundance; miR133a levels were lower in dKO mice compared with controls.
Conclusions—These data indicate that IL-19 is an atheroprotective cytokine which decreases the abundance of HuR,
leading to reduced inflammatory mRNA stability.
