The IL-20 Cytokine Family in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis.

This review describes the IL-20 family of cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloartrhitits (SpA) including psoriatic arthritis. The IL-20 receptor (R) cytokines IL-19, IL-20, and IL-24 are produced in both the peripheral blood and the synovial joint and are induced by Toll-like receptor ligands and autoantibody-associated immune complexes in monocytes. IL-19 seems to have anti-inflammatory functions in arthritis. In contrast, IL-20 and IL-24 increase the production of proinflammatory molecules such as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and are associated with bone degradation and radiographic progression. IL-22 is also associated with progression of bone erosions. This suggests that the IL-22RA1 subunit shared by IL-20, IL-22, and IL-24 is important for bone homeostasis. In line with this, the IL-22RA1 has been found on preosteoclasts in early RA. IL-26 is produced in high amounts by myofibroblasts and IL-26 stimulation of monocytes is an important inducer of Th17 cells in RA. This indicates a role for IL-26 as an important factor in the interactions between resident synovial cells and infiltrating leukocytes. Clinical trials that investigate inhibitors of IL-20 (fletikumab) and IL-22 (fezakinumab) in psoriasis and RA have been terminated. Instead, it seems that the strategy for modulating the IL-20 cytokine family should take the overlap in cellular sources and effector mechanisms into account. The redundancy encourages inhibition of more than one cytokine or one of the shared receptors. All IL-20 family members utilize the Janus kinase signaling pathway and are therefore potentially inhibited by drugs targeting these enzymes. Effects and adverse effects in ongoing clinical trials with inhibitors of IL-22 and the IL-22RA1 subunit and recombinant IL-22 fusion proteins will possibly provide important information about the IL-20 subfamily of cytokines in the future.

Rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis

Disease characteristics

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) are both immune-mediated rheumatic diseases characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial joints. Both inflammatory joint diseases are included in this review as they present distinctive clinical features. RA is characterized by destructive polyarthritis and the involvement of multiple organs (1). SpA covers a group of diseases that affects the joints and entheses including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (2). SpA can affect the joints of the axial skeleton and/or the peripheral joints. In both cases, extraarticular involvement is common, e.g., uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), psoriasis, or enthesitis. The etiology of both RA and SpA is still largely unknown. In direct comparison, the RA pathogenesis involves more adaptive immune features such as autoreactive B cells and production of the autoantibodies rheumatoid factors (RFs) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, whereas SpA pathogenesis seems to be more driven by lymphocyte subsets producing IL-17A (3). In RA, the ultimate disease manifestation in the joint is bone erosions. These bone erosions are found close to the insertion site of the synovial membrane in connection with the formation of pannus tissue and the presence of osteoclasts (1, 4). In SpA, the typical structural change is new bone formation in the axial skeleton and entheses. However, peripheral joint disease in SpA can be destructive (2, 3, 5). Further, both diseases are associated with the development of osteoporosis because of the inflammatory activation of bone degradation (6).

Cytokines and chemokines

In the immune system, cytokines are important signaling molecules that coordinate the immune response by mediating the communication between cells through specific receptors. These receptors can be found on cells that traditionally are considered as part of the immune system but also on what historically have been looked upon as non-immune cells such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts. In rheumatic disease, the regulation of cytokines is unbalanced. This involves both insufficient production of inhibitory cytokines and augmented production of proinflammatory cytokines that together contribute to the chronic inflammatory condition. Studying the pathogenesis of the rheumatic diseases has led to the development of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (7, 8). TNFα inhibitors were the first validated biological therapy for RA. However, now several other anti-cytokine drugs, lymphocyte-targeting agents and small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction pathways are available or in clinical trials (9). The purpose of the present review is to describe the role of the IL-20 cytokine family in RA and SpA.

The IL-20 cytokine family

The human IL-20 cytokine family consists of the cytokines IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, and IL-26 in the IL-10 superfamily of cytokines (along with IL-10, IL-28, and IL-29) (10, 11). IL-19, IL-20, and IL-24 are also referred to as the IL-20R cytokines based on their shared binding to the receptor complexes containing the IL-20RB. Thus, all three cytokines bind the receptor complex IL-20RB/IL-20RA while only IL-20 and IL-24 also bind the receptor complex IL-20RB/IL-22RA1 (12–14). IL-22 uses the receptor complex IL-10RB/IL-22RA1 and IL-26 signals through IL-10RB/IL-20RA (Figure 1). Murine IL-26 is a pseudogene and the function of mouse IL-24 remains to be elucidated.

Figure 1

The IL-20 family of cytokines, their shared receptors and intracellular signaling pathways and therapeutic strategies approved or under investigation. Fezakinumab inhibits IL-22. Fletikumab inhibits IL-20. ARGX-112 inhibits the IL-22RA1 subunit. JAK/TYK2 inhibitors will prevent signaling from all the IL-20 family cytokines.

The IL-20 cytokine family signal through the Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway primarily activating STAT3. Further, IL-22 can activate Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (Figure 1) (11).

IL-19, IL-20, and IL-24

Expression and regulation

Cytokine localization

IL-20 and IL-24 have been identified in mononuclear cells in the synovial membrane of RA patients by immunohistochemistry (15, 16). IL-19 has been found in vimentin+ and CD68+ synovial cells in the hyperplastic lining layers of RA synovial tissues (17). Further, the expression of IL-20 in RA synovial tissue was shown to be particularly associated with macrophages, neutrophil granulocytes and fibroblast-like synovial cells (18). IL-19, IL-20, and IL-24 have all been identified in both synovial fluid and plasma of patients with RA and SpA (15, 16, 18–20).

Cellular sources

All three IL-20R cytokines are expressed by monocytes, fibroblasts and several epithelial cells. Furthermore, IL-19 and IL-24 are expressed by B cells, IL-20 production can be induced in dendritic cells and IL-24 is expressed by Th2 cells (11, 21, 22). Toll like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 agonists and IL-1β increase the production of all three cytokines (23–25) (Figure 2). The induction of the IL-20R cytokines through activation of TLR2 and TLR4 is interesting because several endogenous TLR2 and TLR4 agonists are produced in RA and SpA (e.g., HMGB1 and hyaluronic acid fragments) (26–29). In fact, this pathway may be the primary contributor to the increase in plasma levels of IL-20 and IL-24 in SpA. Myofibroblast pathways are thus activated in SpA, which lead to extracellular matrix turnover and new bone formation (30). In this process, factors from host cells such as fibrinogen, EDA fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, and tenascin C are released. These factors can all function as danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (31). Further, all three cytokines are induced by immune complexes that activate FcγRs in PBMCs. More specifically, citrullinated fibrinogen-containing immune complexes were shown to activate FcγRIIa (Figure 2) (32). The association between the IL-20R cytokines and either IgM-RF and anti-CCP antibodies could be important because these autoantibodies and the generation of immune complexes is an ongoing process even in patients in clinical remission (1). In line with this, the concentration of IL-20 and IL-24 remained increased in some patients with early RA at follow-up after 6 months of treatment compared with HCs in this study (32). Thus, some patients have increased levels of IL-20 and IL-24 even when in clinical remission.

Figure 2

Simplified role of the IL-20 family cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Red stars indicate inflammation. Lines with an arrow head indicate stimulation. Lines without arrow head indicate inhibition.

Receptor expression

The three receptor subunits are primarily expressed by resident effector cells of target organs (e.g., keratinocytes, osteoclasts, and intestinal and airway epithelial cells) and not on cells traditionally associated with the immune system (21, 22). However, the IL-20RB has been identified on several peripheral blood leukocyte subsets in the expression pattern studies (21, 22), and the IL-20RA and IL-22RA1 can be induced in macrophages in the lung (13). In addition, some studies have reported effects of the IL-20R cytokines on cells of the immune system not known to express the receptor complexes (33–39). These findings have suggested (1) that IL-22RA1 and IL-20RA are only expressed by leukocytes under certain conditions, (2) that the these two receptor subunits are expressed by leukocytes below the detection limit in the expression pattern studies, or (3) that a not yet identified receptor subunit is expressed by leukocytes. In two studies, all three receptor subunits were found on FLSs in the synovial membrane (16, 17). However, in other studies FLSs did not express the receptors and were unresponsive to stimulation with IL-20 and IL-24 (24). Recently, expression of IL-20RA and IL-22RA1 have been shown on peripheral blood and synovial fluid monocyte subsets from RA patients (32). The percentage of monocytes expressing IL-20RA was not different when comparing RA synovial fluid, RA peripheral blood and HC peripheral blood. In contrast, the percentage of monocytes expressing IL-22RA1 was highest in RA synovial fluid and was also increased in RA peripheral blood compared with HC peripheral blood. The percentage of monocytes expressing both IL-20RA and IL-22RA1 was very low in both RA patients and HCs (32).

Function

The IL-20R axis was first associated with psoriasis (40–46), but later also with other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (47–51) and arthritis. The IL-20R subunits have now been identified as risk genes for developing an immune-mediated inflammatory disease in three independent genetic studies (52–54).

Most studies have focused on pro-inflammatory roles of IL-20 and IL-24, whereas IL-19 seems to have anti-inflammatory functions. In evidence of this, transgenic mice overexpressing IL-20 (40) and IL-24 (42) develop psoriasis-like skin disease, while IL-19 overexpressing mice have a normal phenotype (13). In contrast, IL-19 knockout mice show increased susceptibility to experimentally induced colitis (47). In line with this, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-19 gene (but not the IL-20 or IL-24 genes) are protective in psoriasis (41). Likewise, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-20 and IL-24 genes (but not the IL-19 gene) are associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (55, 56). IL-19 has also been suggested to be protective in human colonic inflammation (57), while the role of IL-20 (48, 49) and IL-24 (50, 51) needs further study. Finally, IL-19 has several anti-inflammatory functions in atherosclerotic disease (58). Several studies have found induction of MCP-1 as a pathogenic mechanism of IL-20 and IL-24 function. MCP-1 expression is upregulated in transgenic mice overexpressing IL-24 and IL-20 increases the production of MCP-1 in kidney mesangial cells and intervertebral disc cells (42, 59, 60).

Supporting the tissue homeostasis function of the IL-20R cytokines, the receptor subunits IL-20RA and IL-22RA1 are found on several epithelial cells of target organs such as keratinocytes and lining cells of the gut and airways (13, 21, 22). The two cytokines are upregulated in wound healing and regulate tissue repair mechanisms (61–63). Supporting tissue homestatic properties in arthritis, IL-20 and IL-24 have been shown to increase osteoblast mineralization and are associated with chronic changes in the lumbar spine in SpA (Figure 2) (24). Further, the IL-22RA1 was recently found on osteoclast precursors and osteoclasts. In line with this, IL-20 and IL-24 plasma levels were associated with radiographic progression in early RA patients. Further, IL-20 and IL-24 stimulation led to an increased MCP-1 production in osteoclast cultures (32). MCP-1 is a chemoattractant protein that recruits CCR-2-expressing cells. This receptor is expressed by osteoclast precursors (64–66). Hereby, IL-20 and IL-24 could perpetuate bone destruction by stimulating the recruitment of more monocytes and osteoclast precursors to areas of ongoing bone resorption (Figure 2). These findings are in line with the identified role of IL-20 in osteoporosis (67) and osteoarthritis (68).

Potential target for disease modification

IL-20 and IL-24 act upon a restricted number of epithelial cell populations and seem to have only moderate effects on leukocytes. Thus, inhibition of the two cytokines may not be associated with increased risk of infection (69). In this way, IL-20 and IL-24 could be potential treatment targets in RA and SpA. The anti-IL-20 drug candidate fletikumab (NN8226, NNC0109-0012) for the treatment of RA has been tested in clinical trials (Table 1). The drug was demonstrated to be safe and well tolerated in the phase 1 trial (NCT01038674) (70). In the Phase 2a trial, neutralization of IL-20 proved effective, especially in seropositive RA patients, which strengthens the link between IL-20 and RF (NCT01282255) (72). However, a Phase 2b trial with this drug candidate very recently failed to reach the primary outcome measure of ACR20 after 12 weeks in RA patients with inadequate responses to either anti-TNFα (NCT01636817) or methotrexate (NCT01636843) therapy. There are several potential reasons why this anti-IL-20 antibody failed in the clinical trial. First, inhibition of IL-20 alone might not be sufficient because of the redundancy in this cytokine family. In line with this, broad blockade of signaling from the IL-20 family of cytokines potently inhibit arthritis in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model (75). Second, the NN8226 antibody (fletikumab) might not have been optimal. However, fletikumab was a human antibody (IgG4) with a high affinity (Kd: 37 pM) and a very high potency in blocking IL-20 mediated activity on IL-20RA/IL-20RB and IL-22RA1/IL20R2 expressing cells (IC50: 0.27 nM).It had a serum half-life of ~3 weeks in RA patients (70). Third, it is possible that the IL-20 axis plays a role only in a small subset of RA patients. Fourth, the primary end point of the clinical trials was disease activity after a short time period. Possibly, IL-20 inhibition could affect other outcomes such as progression of bone erosions after a longer time period. Finally, it could also mean that IL-20 does not play a central role in RA.

Table 1

Drugs targeting the IL-20 family of cytokines with relevance to immune mediated inflammatory arthritis.

Function	Name	Disease	Phase	Conclusion	Trial and reference
IL-20 inhibition	Fletikumab(NN8226, NNC0109-0012)	Healthy volunteers, psoriasis, and RA	1	Safe and well tolerated	NCT01038674 (70)
		Psoriasis	1	The expansion phase was terminated early due to apparent lack of efficacy (PASI improvement)	NCT01261767 (71)
		RA	2a	Effect in seropositive RA patients asearly as week 1 with further improvements to week 12 (ACR responses)	NCT01282255 (72)
		RA	2b	Ended, no final data released	NCT01636817 and NCT01636843
IL-22 inhibition	Fezakinumab(ILV-094)	Healthy volunteers	1	Ended, no final data released	NCT00434746
		Psoriasis	1	Ended, no final data released	NCT00563524
		RA	2	Ended, no final data released	NCT00883896
		Atopic dermatitis	2	Skin improvement (CONRAD scores)	NCT01941537 (73)
IL-22RA1 inhibition	ARGX-112	Atopic dermatitis	Pre-clinical
IL-22R activation	Promenakin (F-652)	Colitis	Pre-clinical
		Acute alcoholic hepatitis	2	Ongoing	NCT02655510
		Graft versus host disease	2	Ongoing	NCT02406651
	RG7880(UTTR1147A)	Healthy volunteers, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease	1	Safe and well tolerated	NCT02749630 (74)
		Diabetic foot ulcer	1	Ongoing	NCT02833389
		Ulcerative colitis	2	Ongoing	NCT03558152
JAK1 or TYK2 inhibition	E.g., tofacitinib and baricitinib	Immune mediated inflammatory diseases	Several	Efficacy in RA, SpA, and psoriatic arthritis	Several published and ongoing studies

Of note, the IL-20R axis signals via the JAK pathway and specifically utilizes the heterodimeric pairing of JAK1 and Tyrosine kinase 2, which in turn activate STAT3. Therefore, it is likely that JAK inhibitors such as tofacitinib (a selective inhibitor of JAK1 and 3) and baricitinib (a selective inhibitor of JAK1 and 2) interupt the intracellular signaling of IL-20R ligands as well as the signaling of other members of the type I/II cytokine family (Table 1) (76). Because the JAK inhibitors are multi-cytokine inhibitors, it is difficult to ascribe the magnitude of efficacy observed in any given immune-mediated inflammatory disorder to signaling via a particular cytokine receptor. However, it should be noted that both baricitinib and tofacitinib have well established efficacy in RA (76) and tofacitinib has demonstrated efficacy in a phase II study of ankylosing spondylitis and in psoriatic arthritis (77, 78).

IL-22

Another central effector cytokine in the IL-20 family of cytokines is IL-22. Apart from being produced by Th17 cells, IL-22 is also produced by the Th22 cell. Th17 and Th22 cells are closely related, both being CD4+ T helper cells developed under the influence of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-23 (Figure 2). The development of Th17 and Th22 are dependent on different transcription factors, but they also show differences in their expression of surface receptors. While RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγt) is the transcription factor responsible for Th17 induction, the aryl-hydro-carbon receptor (AHR) together with RORγt are the responsible transcription factors for the development of the Th22 phenotype. Th17 cells are identified through expression of CCR6, CCR4, but not CCR10. By contrast, Th22 cells express CCR4, CCR6 and also CCR10 (79, 80).

IL-22 signals through the heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of the ubiquitously expressed IL-10RB and the more restrictively expressed IL-22RA1 (81). IL-22RA1 is primarily present on epithelial cells and certain monocyte subsets, and very limited IL-22RA1 expression is found on other immune cells (21, 22). IL-22 functions are further regulated by the presence of IL-22 binding protein (BP), a soluble form of the IL-22RA1 (82). IL-22BP is able to bind IL-22, thereby antagonizing the effector functions of IL-22 (83, 84).

The effect of IL-22 has been described as protective in some settings, where it promotes increased resistance to bacterial infection in the gut, maintains intestinal barrier functions and promotes the production of antimicrobial peptides (85). Further, T cell differentiation toward an IL-22-producing phenotype may also be favorable in alcoholic hepatitis (86). In contrast, in synovial tissue IL-22 is involved in pro-inflammatory reactions such as FLS proliferation and MCP-1 secretion (87).

In animal models, the IL-23-Th17 axis including IL-22 has been associated with several immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. IL-23 double-knockout mice were resistant to the development of CIA and to CNS inflammation in the experimental allergic encephalopathy (EAE) mouse model (88, 89). In line with this, IL-22 production was associated with increased joint destruction in the CIA model (Figure 2) (90). Recently, IL-23 was shown to act on RORγt+ CD3+CD4-CD8- T cells in order to develop SpA-like disease in mice. The mechanisms involved include IL-22 induced genes associated with new bone formation (Figure 2) (91). Animal data further suggest that the IL-22RA1 is the primary driver of disease in the autoinflammatory phenotype. Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-22 develop psoriasis-like disease, which is inhibited after breeding these mice with IL-22RA1 knockout mice (but not with IL-20RA knockout mice) (92). Furthermore, IL-22RA1 transgenic mice develop a systemic inflammatory condition. Eliminating the effect of all three cytokines in the IL-20RB knockout mice attenuates disease in a mouse psoriasis model (93), but upregulates antigen-specific T cell responses (94).

In humans, IL-22 has also been associated with diseases involving the IL-23-Th17 axis such as SpA including psoriatic arthritis (95). Adding to a potential role in these diseases characterized by new bone formation, IL-22 stimulates mineralization by ligament cells in odontologic disease (96). IL-22 has further been shown to be upregulated in RA patients and associated with radiographic progression and disease activity (97, 98).

Two studies of the IL-22 inhibitor fezakinumab (ILV-094) in psoriasis (NCT00563524) and RA (NCT00883896) were completed several years ago with no final data released (Table 1). This indicates that IL-22 might not have a central role in immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis. Very recently, fezakinumab showed clinical efficacy in atopic dermatitis (73). ZymoGenetics developed an IL-22RA1 antibody but the development was discontinued. More recently, ArGenX in collaboration with Leo Pharma have developed an IL-22RA1 antibody (ARGX-112) and plan clinical testing in atopic dermatitis (Table 1). Roche together with Genentech (RG7880, UTTR1147A) and Generon (Promenakin, F-652) develop IL-22 agonists for the treatment of ulcerative colitis with ongoing trials also in pancreatitis, acute alcoholic hepatitis, graft versus host disease and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (Table 1). Treatment with these recombinant IL-22 fusion proteins seems to be safe (74, 99). No studies that interfere with the IL-22 receptor have been conducted in immune mediated inflammatory arthritis. However, modulation of IL-22 signaling by JAK inhibition could contribute to the clinical effect seen with these treatments (76, 100, 101).

IL-26

IL-26, also denominated AK155, is a highly cationic charged cytokine initially found in activated T-cells and NK cells as part of the IL-10 cytokine family, and later classified as a Th17 cytokine (102). Recent studies have revealed IL-26 expression in a number of other cell types, including alveolar macrophages (103), bronchial epithelial cells (104), synoviolin+ synovial cells from RA patients (36), and myofibroblasts of spondyloarthritis patients (105) suggesting that IL-26 production occurs in multiple cell types. There is no functional mouse IL-26 gene, which complicates the characterization of this cytokine in preclinical settings.

The IL-26 receptor is a heterodimer composed of IL-10RB and IL-20RA. The IL-10RB monomer is ubiquitously expressed, and shares with IL-10, IL-22, and interferons, while the more sparsely expressed IL-20RA monomer is shared with IL-19, IL-20, and IL-24 (106), and constitutes the limiting factor of the cells ability to respond to IL-26 (106, 107). Expression of IL-20RA is upregulated in psoriatic skin (40), but also reported present on osteoclasts and osteoblasts (108).

The effector functions of IL-26 are still poorly defined. However, it seems that IL-26 primarily act as part of the anti-microbial response against bacteria by recruiting neutrophils to the site of infection (103). When IL-26 forms complexes with extracellular DNA, bacterial or self-DNA (109, 110), the IL-26-DNA complexes can be transported into the cytosol of myeloid cells or trigger type 1 interferon production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells and activate monocytes via STimulator of INterferon Genes (STING) and the inflammasome (109, 110). Elevated levels of IL-26 and IL-26-DNA complexes are seen in a variety of active inflammatory diseases (105).

In immune mediated inflammatory diseases, IL-26 is suggested to be both an important driver of Th17 differentiation and a key Th17 effector cytokine (Figure 2). Thus, IL-26 stimulated monocytes are reported to promote Th-17 cell generation from non-Th17-committed memory T-cells in RA (36), However, IL-26 is also produced by Th17 cells in colonic lesions of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (111).

In RA, IL-26 acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, which is constitutively expressed by synovial cells and induce cytokine secretion by myeloid cells leading to Th17 cell generation (Figure 2). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with RA, as well as other inflammatory disorders, like IBD, have been identified in the IL26 gene (112–114).

In SpA, levels of IL-26 are elevated in synovial fluid compared with plasma which suggests that IL-26 is produced locally in the inflamed joint. IL-26 was primarily produced by α-smooth-muscle-actin expressing fibroblasts, called myofibroblasts. This subtype of fibroblast is specifically upregulated in SpA (115) and is a contributor to fibrosis in several immune mediated diseases (116). Osteoblasts treated with IL-26 show increased mineralization and IL-26 could therefore play a pro-fibrotic role in SpA as well as induce inflammation (Figure 2). Supporting this association, a fibrotic effect of IL-26 was also reported in graft versus host disease (117).

The role of IL-26 in the innate immune defense against bacterial infections complicates the use of the cytokine as a therapeutic target of chronic immune mediated inflammatory diseases. However, the fibrotic properties of the cytokine makes the cytokine interesting as a therapeutic target. Thus, TNFα and IL-17A inhibitors mostly target inflammation while only slowing down tendon calcification at a moderate level.

No medical therapeutics have currently been developed against IL-26. This might partly be due to the lack of IL-26 in mice and rats which complicates the initial pharmaceutical experiments (118). IL-26 signals through JAK1 and Tyrosine kinase 2 and STAT1 and 3 (106, 119). IL-26 is therefore also inhibited by drugs targeting the JAK molecules, e.g., tofacitinib and baricitinib (Table 1) (76).

Conclusion

IL-19 seems to have an anti-inflammatory role in arthritis. IL-20 and IL-24 have been associated with bone degradation and radiographic progression. Potentiation of MCP-1 from osteoclasts could be a mechanism contributing to this, but other effects of IL-20 and IL-24 on osteoclasts cannot be excluded. IL-22 has been associated with progression of bone erosion and IL-26 was shown to induce several proinflammatory cytokines in RA. The strategy for modulation should take into account the effects of all IL-20 family members. This redundancy encourages inhibition of more than one cytokine or one of the shared receptors in this cytokine family. However, the roles of this cytokine family could be limited in human immune-mediated arthritis or only relevant in a subset of patients or for certain aspects of the diseases. All of the IL-20 family members signal through the JAK-STAT pathway, and therefore are potential targets for drugs that inhibit this pathway. Effects and adverse effects in ongoing clinical trials with inhibitors of IL-22 and the IL-22RA1 subunit and recombinant IL-22 fusion proteins will possibly give important information about the IL-20 subfamily of cytokines in the future.

Author contributions

TK, TA, and LH drafted the manuscript. MH, JG, PS, PT, LS, and BD made substantial contributions to the first draft. TK finalized the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

JG and PS are former employees in Novo Nordisk working on the anti-IL-20 drug candidate fletikumab. LS was principal investigator on the phase 2a study of the anti-IL-20 drug candidate fletikumab for the treatment of RA. JG is now employed by Eli Lilly. PS is now employed by Celgene. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.