Characterization of IL-19,-20, and-24 in acute and chronic kidney diseases reveals a pro-fibrotic role of IL-24

Background Recently, the role of IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24 has been reported in renal disorders. However, still little is known about their biological role. Methods Localization of IL-20RB was determined in human biopsies and in the kidneys of mice that underwent unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Renal Il19, Il20 and Il24 expression was determined in ischemia/reperfusion, lipopolysaccharide, streptozotocin, or UUO induced animal models of kidney diseases. The effects of H2O2, LPS, TGF-beta 1, PDGF-B and IL-1 beta on IL19, IL20 and IL24 expression was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The extents of extracellular matrix (ECM) and alpha-SMA, Tgfb1, Pdgfb, and Ctgf expression were determined in the kidneys of Il20rb knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice following UUO. The effect of IL-24 was also examined on HK-2 tubular epithelial cells and NRK49F renal fibroblasts. Results IL-20RB was present in the renal biopsies of patients with lupus nephritis, IgA and diabetic nephropathy. Amount of IL-20RB increased in the kidneys of mice underwent UUO. The expression of Il19, Il20 and Il24 increased in the animal models of various kidney diseases. IL-1 beta, H2O2 and LPS induced the IL19, IL20 and IL24 expression of PBMCs. The extent of ECM, alpha-SMA, fibronectin, Tgfb1, Pdgfb, and Ctgf expression was lower in the kidney of Il20rb KO compared to WT mice following UUO. IL-24 treatment induced the apoptosis and TGF-beta 1, PDGF-B, CTGF expression of HK-2 cells. Conclusions Our data confirmed the significance of IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24 in the pathomechanism of renal diseases. Furthermore, we were the first to demonstrate the pro-fibrotic effect of IL-24.