IL-17RC is required for immune signaling via an extended SEF/IL-17R signaling domain in the cytoplasmic tail

J Immunol. 2010 Jul 15;185(2):1063-70. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0903739. Epub 2010 Jun 16.

Abstract

IL-17 mediates essential inflammatory responses in host defense and autoimmunity. The IL-17A-IL-17F signaling complex is composed of IL-17RA and IL-17RC, both of which are necessary for signal transduction. To date, the specific contribution of IL-17RC to downstream signaling remains poorly understood. To define the regions within the IL-17RC cytoplasmic tail required for signal transduction, we assayed signaling by a panel of IL-17RC deletion mutants. These findings reveal that IL-17RC inducibly associates with a specific glycosylated IL-17RA isoform, in a manner independent of the IL-17RC cytoplasmic tail. Using expression of the IL-17 target genes IL-6 and 24p3/lipocalin-2 as a readout, functional reconstitution of signaling in IL-17RC(-/-) fibroblasts required the SEF/IL-17R signaling domain (SEFIR), a conserved motif common to IL-17R family members. Unexpectedly, the IL-17RC SEFIR alone was not sufficient to reconstitute IL-17-dependent signaling. Rather, an additional sequence downstream of the SEFIR was also necessary. We further found that IL-17RC interacts directly with the adaptor/E3 ubiquitin ligase Act1, and that the functional IL-17RC isoforms containing the extended SEFIR region interact specifically with a phosphorylated isoform of Act1. Finally, we show that IL-17RC is required for in vivo IL-17-dependent responses during oral mucosal infections caused by the human commensal fungus Candida albicans. These results indicate that IL-17RC is vital for IL-17-dependent signaling both in vitro and in vivo. Insight into the mechanisms by which IL-17RC signals helps shed light on IL-17-dependent inflammatory responses and may ultimately provide an avenue for therapeutic intervention in IL-17-mediated diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Blotting, Western
  • Candidiasis, Oral / genetics
  • Candidiasis, Oral / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / immunology*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mutation
  • Oropharynx / immunology
  • Oropharynx / microbiology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / immunology
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17