Interleukin-1 Family Member 9 Stimulates Chemokine Production and Neutrophil Influx in Mouse Lungs

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a proinflammatory cytokine that signals through the Type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RI). Novel IL-1–like cytokines were recently identified. Their functions in lung disease remain unclear. Interleukin-1 family member–9 (IL-1F9) is one such IL-1–like cytokine, expressed in the lungs of humans and mice. IL-1F9 signals through IL-1 receptor–related protein 2 (IL-1Rrp2/IL-1RL2), which is distinct from IL-1RI. We sought to determine if IL-1F9 acts as a proinflammatory cytokine in lung disease. IL-1F9 protein was increased in lung homogenates of house dust mite–challenged A/J mice compared with controls, and expression was seen in airway epithelial cells. The intratracheal administration of recombinant mouse IL-1F9 increased airway hyperresponsiveness and induced neutrophil influx and mucus production, but not eosinophilic infiltration in the lungs of mice. In addition, IL-1α protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, chemokines, and chemokine-receptor mRNA expression in the lungs were in...