OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with immune cell infiltration. Various cytokines and chemokines have been characterized as pro- or antiatherogenic factors. Interleukin-20 (IL-20) belongs to the IL-10 family and is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, the association between IL-20 and atherosclerosis is undetermined. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether IL-20 is associated with atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the expression of IL-20 and its receptor complex IL-20R1/IL-20R2 in atherosclerotic lesions of humans and mice using immunohistochemical staining. IL-20 was expressed in macrophage-rich areas. Both IL-20 and IL-20R1/IL-20R2 were expressed by endothelial cells lining the intimal microvessels, vasa vasorum, but rarely in nonatherosclerotic arteries. We used reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to analyze gene expression. IL-20 transcripts increased in hypoxic monocytes and monocytes treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. The expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 was also upregulated by human umbilical vein endothelial cells in response to hypoxic treatment. Incubating IL-20 with human umbilical vein endothelial cells upregulated CXCL9 and CXCL11 transcripts. Furthermore, in vivo administration of IL-20 expression vector using intramuscular electroporation promoted atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that IL-20 is a proatherogenic cytokine that contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE:Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with immune cell infiltration. Various cytokines and chemokines have been characterized as pro- or antiatherogenic factors. Interleukin-20 (IL-20) belongs to the IL-10 family and is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, the association between IL-20 and atherosclerosis is undetermined. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether IL-20 is associated with atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the expression of IL-20 and its receptor complex IL-20R1/IL-20R2 in atherosclerotic lesions of humans and mice using immunohistochemical staining. IL-20 was expressed in macrophage-rich areas. Both IL-20 and IL-20R1/IL-20R2 were expressed by endothelial cells lining the intimal microvessels, vasa vasorum, but rarely in nonatherosclerotic arteries. We used reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to analyze gene expression. IL-20 transcripts increased in hypoxic monocytes and monocytes treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. The expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 was also upregulated by human umbilical vein endothelial cells in response to hypoxic treatment. Incubating IL-20 with human umbilical vein endothelial cells upregulated CXCL9 and CXCL11 transcripts. Furthermore, in vivo administration of IL-20 expression vector using intramuscular electroporation promoted atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficientmice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that IL-20 is a proatherogenic cytokine that contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis.
Authors: M G Alexandrakis; C A Pappa; M Kokonozaki; A Boula; R Vyzoukaki; D Staphylaki; A Papadopoulou; N Androulakis; G Tsirakis; A Sfiridaki Journal: Med Oncol Date: 2015-01-29 Impact factor: 3.064
Authors: Naomi J Logsdon; Ashlesha Deshpande; Bethany D Harris; Kanagalaghatta R Rajashankar; Mark R Walter Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-07-16 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Stephen Ellison; Khatuna Gabunia; Sheri E Kelemen; Ross N England; Rosario Scalia; James M Richards; A Wayne Orr; Wayne Orr; James G Traylor; Thomas Rogers; William Cornwell; Lisa M Berglund; Isabel Goncalves; Maria F Gomez; Michael V Autieri Journal: Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Date: 2013-08-15 Impact factor: 8.311
Authors: Naomi J Logsdon; Christopher E Allen; Kanagalaghatta R Rajashankar; Mark R Walter Journal: Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun Date: 2011-12-24