Intestinal IL-17R Signaling Constrains IL-18-Driven Liver Inflammation by the Regulation of Microbiome-Derived Products

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-17 signaling to the intestinal epithelium regulates the intestinal microbiome. Given the reported links between intestinal dysbiosis, bacterial translocation, and liver disease, we hypothesize that intestinal IL-17R signaling plays a critical role in mitigating hepatic inflammation. To test this, we study intestinal epithelium-specific IL-17RA-deficient mice in an immune-driven hepatitis model. At the naive state, these mice exhibit microbiome dysbiosis and increased translocation of bacterial products (CpG DNA), which drives liver IL-18 production. Upon disease induction, absence of enteric IL-17RA signaling exacerbates hepatitis and hepatocyte cell death. IL-18 is necessary for disease exacerbation and is associated with increased activated hepatic lymphocytes based on Ifng and Fasl expression. Thus, intestinal IL-17R regulates translocation of TLR9 ligands and constrains susceptibility to hepatitis. These data connect enteric Th17 signaling and the microbiome in hepatitis, with broader implications on the effects of impaired intestinal immunity and subsequent release of microbial products observed in other extra-intestinal pathologies.