IL-33 Enhances Host Tolerance to Candida albicans Kidney Infections through Induction of IL-13 Production by CD4+ T Cells

Susceptibility to systemic Candida albicans infection is determined by immune resistance, as well as by the ability to control Candida -induced immunopathologies. We showed previously that exogenous IL-33 can increase resistance to peritoneal C. albicans infection by regulating multiple steps of the neutrophil anti- Candida response. In this study, using a mouse model of systemic candidiasis, we observed that IL-33 administration limited fungal burden and inflammation and increased survival. In kidneys, IL-33 seemed to directly act on neutrophils and CD4+ T cells: IL-33 administration enhanced fungal clearance by increasing neutrophil phagocytic activity without which Candida proliferation was uncontrollable. In contrast, IL-33 stimulated CD4+ T cells to produce IL-13, which, in turn, drove the polarization of macrophages toward the M2 type. Furthermore, the absence of IL-13 abolished IL-33–mediated polarization of M2 macrophages and renal functional recovery. In addition, IL-33 and IL-13 acted synergistically to increase M2 macrophage polarization and its phagocytic activity. Overall, this study identifies IL-33 as a cytokine that is able to induce resistance and tolerance and suggests that targeting resistance and tolerance simultaneously with therapeutic IL-33 may benefit patients with systemic candidiasis.