Our data indicate that miR-10a is decreased in the inflamed mucosa of IBD and downregulates mucosal inflammatory response through inhibition of IL-12/IL-23p40 and NOD2 expression, and blockade of Th1/Th17 cell immune responses. Thus, miR-10a could play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of IBD.

It has been shown recently that neutrophils are able to produce IL-22 and IL-17, which differentially regulate the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it is still largely unknown how the neutrophil production of IL-22 and IL-17 is regulated, and their role in the pathogenesis of IBD. In this study, we found that IL-23 promoted neutrophil production of IL-17 and IL-22. IL-23 stimulated the neutrophil expression of IL-23 receptor as well as rorc and ahr. RORγt and AhR differentially regulated IL-23 induction of neutrophil IL-17 and IL-22. Additionally, IL-23 induced the activation of mTOR in neutrophils. Blockade of mTOR pathway inhibited IL-23-induced expression of rorc and ahr as well as IL-17 and IL-22 production. By utilizing a microbiota antigen specific T-cell mediated colitis model, we demonstrated that depletion of neutrophils, as well as blockade of IL-22, resulted in a significant increase in the severity of colitis, thereby indicating a protective role of neutrophils and IL-22 in chronic colitis. Collectively, our data revealed that neutrophils negatively regulate microbiota antigen specific T cell induction of colitis, and IL-23 induces neutrophil production of IL-22 and IL-17 through induction of rorc and ahr, which is mediated by mTOR pathway.

Perturbations of the intestinal microbiome have been observed in patients with new-onset and chronic autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. However, it is currently unknown whether these alterations precede the development of arthritis or are rather a consequence of disease. Modulation of intestinal microbiota by oral antibiotics or germ-free condition can prevent arthritis in mice. Yet, the therapeutic potential of modulation of the microbiota after the onset of arthritis is not well characterized. We here show that the intestinal microbial community undergoes marked changes in the preclinical phase of collagen induced arthritis (CIA). The abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes, specifically families S24-7 and Bacteroidaceae was reduced, whereas Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Desulfovibrinocaceae, were expanded during the immune-priming phase of arthritis. In addition, we found that the abundance of lamina propria Th17, but not Th1, cells is highly correlated with the severity of arthritis. Elimination of the intestinal microbiota during established arthritis specifically reduced intestinal Th17 cells and attenuated arthritis. These effects were associated with reduced serum amyloid A expression in ileum and synovial tissue. Our observations suggest that intestinal microbiota perturbations precede arthritis, and that modulation of the intestinal microbiota after the onset of arthritis may offer therapeutic opportunities.

Tregs play a crucial role in the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis. However, significant numbers of Foxp3(+) Tregs accumulate in the inflamed lesions in experimental colitis and in IBD patients. Treg production of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and/or IL-17 may arguably explain their ineffectiveness in suppressing intestinal inflammation. However, it remains unknown whether iTreg and tTreg produce proinflammatory cytokines and how TLR signaling regulates this process. Here, we found that Foxp3(+)Tregs were increased in the intestines of B6.TLR4(-/-) and B6.IL-10(-/-) mice when compared with WT B6 mice. TLR4(-/-) and IL-10(-/-) resulted in more Tregs within inflamed intestines. The majority of Foxp3(+) Tregs in the spleen was Helios(+)Nrp1(+), whereas most Foxp3(+) Tregs in the intestinal LP were Helios(-)Nrp1(-). More Helios(+)Nrp1(+) Tregs expressed IFN-γ and/or IL-17 than did Helios(-)Nrp1(-) Tregs in the spleen and intestine, which was increased with TLR4(-/-). TLR4 signaling in T cells and APCs inhibited Foxp3(+) induction via MyD88-dependent, TRIF-independent pathways, which was negatively regulated by SOCS3. Collectively, these data demonstrate Helios(+)Nrp1(+) tTregs and Helios(-)Nrp1(-) iTregs produce proinflammatory cytokines in the intestines during inflammation, which was regulated by TLR4 signaling.

Objective Intestinal microbiota are associated with the development of inflammatory arthritis. The aim of this study was to dissect intestinal mucosal immune responses in the preclinical phase of arthritis and determine whether the presence of Th17 cells, beyond involvement of the cytokine interleukin‐17 ( IL ‐17), is required for arthritis development, and whether the involvement of Th17 cells in arthritis depends on the composition of the host microbiota. Methods Mucosal T cell production of IL ‐17, interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor α ( TNF α), IL ‐22, and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor ( GM ‐ CSF ) was analyzed by flow cytometry and Luminex assay before arthritis onset in mice immunized to develop collagen‐induced arthritis ( CIA ). Pathogenic features of arthritis in mice with CIA and mice with antigen‐induced arthritis were compared between Th17 cell–deficient ( CD 4‐Cre + Rorc flox/flox ) and Th17 cell–sufficient ( CD 4‐Cre − Rorc flox/flox ) mice. In addition, the impact of intestinal microbiota on the Th17 cell dependence of CIA was assessed. Results Lamina propria CD 4 T cells were activated before the onset of arthritis in mice with CIA , with marked up‐regulation of several cytokines, including IL ‐17A, TNF α, and GM ‐ CSF . CD 4‐Cre + Rorc flox/flox mice showed a specific reduction in intestinal mucosal levels of Th17 cells and partially reduced levels of IL ‐17–producing CD 8 T cells. However, total levels of IL ‐17A, mostly produced by γδ T cells and neutrophils, were unaffected. The severity of arthritis was significantly reduced in Th17 cell–deficient mice, suggesting that Th17 cells have additional, IL ‐17A–independent roles in inflammatory arthritis. Accordingly, antigen‐stimulated T cells from Th17 cell–deficient mice produced less IL ‐17A, IL ‐17F, and GM ‐ CSF . Importantly, the dependence of CIA on the involvement of Th17 cells was mitigated in the presence of an alternative microbiome. Conclusion These data from murine models suggest that activati...