Inhibition of the IL-18 Receptor Signaling Pathway Ameliorates Disease in a Murine Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Interleukin (IL)-18 expression in synovial tissue correlates with the severity of joint inflammation and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, the role of the IL-18/IL-18 receptor-alpha (R alpha) signaling pathway in autoimmune arthritis is unknown. Wild-type (WT) and IL-18R alpha knockout (KO) mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen before the onset of arthritis induced by lipopolysaccharide injection. Disease activity was evaluated by semiquantitative scoring and histologic assessment. Serum inflammatory cytokine and anticollagen antibody levels were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Joint cytokine and matrix metalloproteinases-3 levels were determined by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Splenic suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) were determined by Western blot analysis as indices of systemic immunoresponse. IL-18R alpha KO mice showed lower arthritis and histological scores in bone erosion and synovitis due to reductions in the infiltration of CD4+ T cells and F4/80+ cells and decreased serum IL-6, -18, TNF, and IFN-gamma levels. The mRNA expression and protein levels of SOCS3 were significantly increased in the IL-18R alpha KO mice. By an up-regulation of SOCS, pro-inflammatory cytokines were decreased through the IL-18/IL-18R alpha signaling pathway. These results suggest that inhibitors of the IL-18/IL-18R alpha signaling pathway could become new therapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis.