Interleukin 37's role in promoting nerve repair and attenuating immune rejection of peripheral nerve xenografts in mice

作者：Chen, Yongsheng; Ma, Yanxia; Li, Zhenzhen; Liu, Bin; Tan, Minxuan; Ye, Jing-an; Liu, Yun; Chen, Weixuan; Li, Shaopeng^*; Chai, Huihui^*

来源：Transplant Immunology, 2022, 71: 101550.

DOI：10.1016/j.trim.2022.101550

• IL-37
• Xenograft
• Remyelination
• Nerve regeneration
• Immune rejection

Background @@@ The aim of the study was to explore the potential role of IL-37 in nerve repair and immune regulation in peripheral nerve xenograft hosts. @@@ Methods @@@ Rat nerve xenografts were transplanted into mouse recipients. Transplanted mice received an intraperitoneal injection of IL-37 on the day before transplantation, whereas control mice remained untreated. At postoperative 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the effects of IL-37 were examined on motor function, tissue morphology, and regenerative ability of xenograft nerves. Levels of IL-17 and IL-22 in serum and spleen were measured at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after nerve transplantation. @@@ Results @@@ At 12 postoperative weeks, grafted nerves grew well in IL-37 treatment group, as documented by the recovery in function of sciatic nerves compared to untreated controls. In particular, IL-37-treated mice showed more complete neuromorphology, thicker myelin sheath, compact structure, and the increased number of myelinated nerve fibers in histological examination. The number of T helper (Th)17 (CD3 + CD4 + IL-17+) and Th22 (CD3 + CD4 + IL-22+) cells in the spleen was reduced in the IL-37-treated group, as well as serum IL-17 and IL-22 were decreased after IL-37 treatment compared with the untreated group. @@@ Conclusions @@@ IL-37 attenuates immunomodulatory responses induced by xenografts, contributing to the recovery of nerve function and the prevention of muscle atrophy caused by nerve grafts.

• 单位
  南方医科大学; 东莞市人民医院; 中山大学