Role of interleukin-1 receptor 1/MyD88 signalling in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PA-SMC) proliferation and inflammation are key components of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Interleukin (IL)-1 beta binds to IL-1 receptor (R)1, thereby recruiting the molecular adaptor myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) (involved in IL-1R1 and Toll-like receptor signal transduction) and inducing IL-1, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha synthesis through nuclear factor-kappa B activation. We investigated the IL-1R1/MyD88 pathway in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. Marked IL-1R1 and MyD88 expression with predominant PA-SMC immunostaining was found in lungs from patients with idiopathic PAH, mice with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and SM22-5-HTT+ mice. Elevations in lung IL-1 beta, IL-1R1, MyD88 and IL-6 preceded pulmonary hypertension in hypoxic mice. IL-1R1(-/-), MyD88(-/-) and control mice given the IL-1R1 antagonist anakinra were protected similarly against hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and perivascular macrophage recruitment. Anakinra reversed pulmonary hypertension partially in SM22-5-HTT+ mice and markedly in monocrotaline-treated rats. IL-1 beta-mediated stimulation of mouse PA-SMC growth was abolished by anakinra and absent in IL-1R1(-/-) and MyD88(-/-) mice. Gene deletion confined to the myeloid lineage (M.lys-Cre MyD88(fl/fl) mice) decreased pulmonary hypertension severity versus controls, suggesting IL-1 beta-mediated effects on PA-SMCs and macrophages. The growth-promoting effect of media conditioned by M1 or M2 macrophages from M.lysCre MyD88(fl/fl) mice was attenuated. Pulmonary vessel remodelling and inflammation during pulmonary hypertension require IL-1R1/MyD88 signalling. Targeting the IL-1 beta/IL-1R1 pathway may hold promise for treating human PAH.