Immunomodulator role of intestinal interleukin-17 in inflammatory and metabolic responses in type 2 diabetes

Author(s)

Malena Martínez Pérez

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2016-03-31

Examining board members

Daniela Carlos Sartori; Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara; Maria Cristina Foss de Freitas

• Advisor: Daniela Carlos Sartori

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract is a high antigenic exposure site, so it requires the presence of immune regulation mechanisms mediated by regulatory T lymphocytes and IL-17- producing T helper lymphocytes (Th17) in the intestinal mucosa. If there is a failure in the induction of these mechanisms, may occur the imbalance in the populations of commensal bacteria of the intestinal microbiota, called dysbiosis, generally associated with the break of the intestinal barrier and translocation of bacteria or their products like LPS into the blood. In this regard, some studies have evidenced the importance of Th17 lymphocytes in the intestine, since these cells have the ability to maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier, and consequently controlling the colonization and bacterial translocation. In addition, in patients and diabetic animals have been observed correlation between high circulating levels of LPS and insulin resistance. Based on this evidence, our objective was to evaluate the role of IL-17 cytokine in the control of inflammatory and metabolic changes in the type 2 diabetes (T2DM). For this reason, were used C57BL/6 wild-type mice (WT) or lacking of IL-17 cytokine receptor (IL-17R-/-) mice undergoing to the control diet (ND) comprising 10% fat, 70% carbohydrate and 20% protein or high fat diet (DH), comprising 60% fat, 20% carbohydrates and 20% protein. These data demonstrate that IL-17 receptor deficiency protected the animals against obesity, but these mice developed hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia due to insulin resistance. Furthermore, we verified a hyperplasia of the pancreatic islets, abnormalities in architecture and intense inflammation in the intestine (ileum) of IL-17R-/- animals undergoing DH compared to WT. This appears to be correlated to a defect in the neutrophil migration to the intestinal mucosa, since was detected reduced gene expression of the CXCL-1 chemokine and CXCR-2 receptor in the ileum of these animals. Interestingly, the populations of neutrophils (CD11b+Ly6G+) and antiinflammatory macrophages (CD11b+CX3CR1+) were shown to be increased in the mesenteric lymph nodes of IL-17R-/- animals after DH. Later, it was found more bacterial translocation in blood, both in IL-17R-/- mice with ND or DH. However, the metagenomic analyzes of the 16S gene revealed increased of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla, the main representatives of gram-negative bacteria, only in the faeces of IL-17R-/- mice underwent DH. Together, these data indicate that IL-17/IL-17R axis is important in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and the regulation of inflammatory and metabolic alterations associated to T2DM (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/21020-2 - Study of intestinal Th17 response role in obesity-induced type 2 diabetes
• Grantee: Malena Martínez Pérez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master