IL-33 Signaling Regulates Innate IL-17A and IL-22 Production via Suppression of Prostaglandin E2 during Lung Fungal Infection

Abstract

Members of the IL-1 family play protective and regulatory roles in immune defense against the opportunistic mold <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> In this study, we investigated the IL-1 family member IL-33 in lung defense against <i>A. fumigatus</i> IL-33 was detected in the naive lung, which further increased after exposure to <i>A. fumigatus</i> in a dectin-1-independent manner. Mice deficient in the receptor for IL-33 (<i>Il1rl1</i>^-/-) unexpectedly demonstrated enhanced lung clearance of <i>A. fumigatus</i> IL-33 functioned as a negative regulator of multiple inflammatory cytokines, as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-22 were significantly elevated in fungal-exposed <i>Il1rl1</i>^-/- mice. Subsequently, IL-33 administration to normal mice attenuated fungal-induced IL-17A and IL-22, but not IL-1α, IL-1β, or IL-6, production. IL-33-mediated regulation of IL-17A and IL-22 did not involve the modulation of IL-23 but rather PGE₂; PGE₂ was significantly increased in fungal-exposed <i>Il1rl1</i>^-/- mice, and normal mice produced less PGE₂ after fungal exposure when administered IL-33, suggesting that IL-33-mediated regulation of IL-17A and IL-22 occurred at the level of PGE₂ This was confirmed by in vivo cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition, which attenuated fungal-induced IL-17A and IL-22, as well as IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6, production in <i>Il1rl1</i>^-/- mice, resulting in impaired fungal clearance. We also show that a PGE₂ receptor agonist increased, whereas a PGE₂ synthase inhibitor decreased, the levels of IL-17A and IL-22 but not IL-1α, IL-1β, or IL-6. This study establishes novel mechanisms of innate IL-17A/IL-22 production via PGE₂ and regulation of the PGE₂/IL-17A/IL-22 axis via IL-33 signaling during lung fungal exposure.