OBJECTIVE

Interleukin 33 (IL33) is a cytokine belonging to the IL1 family and it binds to a complex of the ST2L/IL1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAcP). To define the role of IL33 in fibrogenesis of the pancreas, the expression of IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP was examined in chronic pancreatitis tissues. The effects of IL33 on the functions of human pancreatic myofibroblasts were also investigated.

METHODS

Tissue samples were obtained surgically. The expression of IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP was evaluated by standard immunohistochemical procedures. Messenger RNA expression for IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP was analysed by northern blotting and real-time PCR analyses, and protein expression was assessed by western blotting and ELISA. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by a (3)H-thymidine incorporation assay and the modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively.

RESULTS

IL33, ST2L and IL1RAcP were expressed by alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts in the fibrosis of chronic pancreatitis. In human pancreatic myofibroblasts, IL33 was weakly immunoexpressed without any stimuli, and this was markedly enhanced by IL1beta, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent AP-1 activation pathway. ST2L mRNA was weakly detected in unstimulated cells, and IL4 and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) strongly enhanced ST2L expression via STAT6 and STAT1 signalling, respectively. IL33 rapidly induced the phosphorylation of MAPKs and IkappaBalpha, and enhanced the expression of inflammatory mediators (IL6, IL8, IP-10, Gro-alpha, Gro-beta and MCP-1) in IL4- or IFNgamma-pretreated cells. IL33 stimulated the proliferation and migration of pancreatic myofibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

IL33 and its receptor complex (ST2L and IL1RAcP) constitute a novel signalling system which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis.