IL-20 gene expression is induced by IL-1beta through mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-kappaB-dependent mechanisms.

IL-20 is a novel member of the IL-10 cytokine family with pleiotropic effects. Current knowledge of what triggers and regulates IL-20 gene expression is sparse. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of IL-20 expression in cultured normal human keratinocytes. The expression of IL-20 was rapidly induced by proinflammatory stimuli, in particular IL-1beta, IL-6, and UVB irradiation. Using kinase inhibitors and small-interfering RNA, we discovered that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as well as inhibitory kappaB kinase-NF-kappaB signaling pathways are crucial for IL-20 expression. By electrophoretic mobility shift assay two kappaB-binding sites were identified upstream from the start codon in the IL-20 gene. Supershift analysis revealed binding of the p50/p65 heterodimer. Furthermore, the p38 MAPK was shown to exert its effects on IL-20 expression through activation of the downstream kinase mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1 (MSK1), indicating transactivation of NF-kappaB driven IL-20 messenger RNA transcription as an important mechanism of action. IL-20 is assumed to be a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and possibly cancer, and therefore the p38 MAPK, MSK1, and NF-kappaB may be important new molecular targets for the modulation of IL-20 expression in these diseases.