Association between IL-17 and IgA in the joints of patients with inflammatory arthropathies

ELIÇABE, RICARDO JAVIER; SILVA, JUAN EDUARDO; DAVE, MABEL NOEMÍ; LACOSTE, MARÍA GABRIELA; TAMASHIRO, HÉCTOR; BLAS, RODRIGO; MUNARRIZ, ALICIA; RABINOVICH, GABRIEL ADRIÁN; DI GENARO, MARÍA SILVIA

BMC IMMUNOLOGY

BIOMED CENTRAL LTD

Año: 2017 vol. 18 p. 1 - 9

1471-2172

Background: Hyperactive secretion and pathogenic effects of interleukin (IL)-17 and IgA have been detected in different arthropathies. Recent evidence has revealed that TH17 cytokines regulate mucosal IgA secretion. However, it is unknown whether and how IL-17 mediates synovial IgA production. Here we aim to investigate the connection of synovial IL-17 with IgA production in the joint. In this study we included synovial fluids (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 66), spondyloarthritis (SpA; n = 18) and osteoarthritis (OA; n = 36). The levels of IL-17, IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and anti-lipopolyssacharide (LPS) immunoglobulin (Ig)A were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total IgA was measured by radial immunodiffusion assay. Synovial fluid-derived mononuclear cells (SFMC) were stimulated with bacterial antigens or SF-conditioned media, and cytokines and IgA were analyzed in the supernatants. Results: IL-17, IL-6 and TGF-β1 were increased in SF from both RA and SpA compared with OA patients. Concentration of IL-17 correlated with the disease activity score (DAS)-28, IL-6 and anti-LPS IgA levels. Bacterial-stimulated SFMCs from RA and SpA patients secreted higher IL-17 than vehicle-stimulated SFMCs. Conditioned media with SF containing IL-17 induced anti-LPS IgA production by SFMCs which was independent of IL-6 activity. Concentrations of synovial TGF-β1 and BAFF correlated with anti-LPS and total IgA levels, respectively. Blockade of IL-17 decreased the production of TGF-β1 and anti-LPS IgA by SF-stimulated SFMCs. Conclusions: This study reports a connection between IL-17 and IgA secretion in the joint. In addition, it demonstrates that enterobacterial antigens trigger synovial IL-17 production, and that TGF-β1 and BAFF may mediate the effect of IL-17 on IgA production. This circuit may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory joint diseases.