Deletion of interleukin-12p40 suppresses autoimmune cholangitis in dominant negative transforming growth factor β receptor type II mice #

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Abstract
Our laboratory has reported that mice that express a dominant negative form of transforming growth factor β receptor restricted to T cells (dnTGFβRII) develop an inflammatory biliary ductular disease with elevated serum levels of interleukin (IL)-12p40 and other proinflammatory cytokines and antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMAs) closely resembling human primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We have used this mouse model to address the potential mechanisms of immunomodulation of liver disease by creating two unique genetic strains: IL-12p40 knockout (KO)-dnTGFβRII mice and IFN-γ KO-dnTGFβRII mice. The two colonies of genetically modified mice—and, for purposes of controls, the dnTGFβRII mice—were monitored for liver immunopathology, AMAs, and intrahepatic cytokine production. Disease expression in the IFN-γ KO-dnTGFβRII mice, including liver immunopathology, were similar to those of dnTGFβRII mice, whereas the IL-12p40 KO-dnTGFβRII mice had a dramatic reduction in histological autoimmune cholangitis and significant decreases in levels of intrahepatic proinflammatory cytokines, but similar levels of AMAs compared with dnTGFβRII controls. Conclusion: These data indicate that in this mouse model of PBC, signaling by way of IL-12p40 is an essential requirement for the development of autoimmune cholangitis. The results of these studies will play an important role in identifying pathways and reagents that will selectively inhibit IL-12 signaling for the outlining of future therapeutic strategies for human PBC. (Hepatology 2009.)

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