IL-17 reduces TNF-induced Rantes and VCAM-1 expression

Functional diversity of the memory T-cell-derived cytokine IL-17 was explored at the receptor level. IL-17 inhibited TNF-induced chemokine Rantes expression in human synovial fibroblasts and mouse lung fibroblasts. This inhibitory activity of IL-17 (IC50 = 0.2 ng/ml) was 6-fold more potent than its stimulatory activity on TNF-α-induced IL-6 secretion (ED50 = 1.2 ng/ml), measured in the same cells. IL-17 also inhibited the TNF-mediated expression of adhesion molecule VCAM-1, and the NF-κB binding to the VCAM-1 promoter-specific site, along with the inhibitor of NF-κB, IκB-β. Neutralization of the human IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) by M202 antibody competitively reverses the IL-17-induced IL-6 upregulation. However, M202 only partially affected the inhibitions by IL-17. Yet, IL-17R was essential for the Rantes inhibition, as assessed in lung-derived fibroblasts from IL-17R gene deficient mice. Therefore, inhibitory and stimulatory functions of IL-17 involve receptor IL-17R but show distinct dose-responses and in turn different sensitivities to an IL-17R antagonizing antibody.