IRF8 expressed in APCs, but not in T cells, is responsible for EAE pathogenesis
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IRF8 in APCs activates TGF-β signaling to initiate Th17 cell development
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IRF8 promotes IL-12 and IL-23 production and suppresses IL-27 production in APCs
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IRF8 stimulates microglia activation and exacerbates EAE
Summary
Recent epidemiological studies have identified interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) as a susceptibility factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, how IRF8 influences the neuroinflammatory disease has remained unknown. By studying the role of IRF8 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of MS, we found that Irf8−/− mice are resistant to EAE. Furthermore, expression of IRF8 in antigen-presenting cells (APCs, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and microglia), but not in T cells, facilitated disease onset and progression through multiple pathways. IRF8 enhanced αvβ8 integrin expression in APCs and activated TGF-β signaling leading to T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation. IRF8 induced a cytokine milieu that favored growth and maintenance of Th1 and Th17 cells, by stimulating interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23 production, but inhibiting IL-27 during EAE. Finally, IRF8 activated microglia and exacerbated neuroinflammation. Together, this work provides mechanistic bases by which IRF8 contributes to the pathogenesis of MS.
Present address: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
