An activation-induced IL-15 isoform is a natural antagonist for IL-15 function

Abstract

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) expression induces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, inhibits the apoptosis of activated T cells and prolongs the survival of CD8 + memory T cells. Here we identified an IL-15 isoform lacking exon-6, IL-15?E6, generated by alternative splicing events of activated immune cells, including macrophages and B cells. In vitro study showed that IL-15?E6 could antagonize IL-15-mediated T cell proliferation. The receptor binding assay revealed that IL-15?E6 could bind to IL-15R? and interfere with the binding between IL-15 and IL-15R?. Over-expression of IL-15?E6 in the murine EAE model ameliorated the EAE symptoms of the mice. The clinical scores were significantly lower in the mice expressing IL-15?E6 than the control mice and the mice expressing IL-15. The inflammation and demyelination of the EAE mice expressing IL-15?E6 were less severe than the control group. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that IL-15?E6 expression reduced the percentages of inflammatory T cells in the spleen and spinal cord, and inhibited the infiltration of macrophages to the CNS. Our results demonstrated that IL-15?E6 could be induced during immune activation and function as a negative feedback mechanism to dampen IL-15-mediated inflammatory events.