Abstract
The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression and functions of IL-24 in C57BL/6 mouse corneas in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Among IL-20R cytokines, only IL-24 was induced at both mRNA and protein levels by infection at early time points. The upregulation of IL-24 was dampened by flagellin pretreatment, which protects the corneas from microbial infection. Time course studies revealed bimodal early and later peaks of IL-24 expression, a pattern shared with suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)3 but not IL-1β or IL-6. Silencing of IL-24 enhanced S100A8/A9 expression and suppressed SOCS3, IL-1β, IL-1RN, and matrix metalloproteinase 13 expression at 6 h postinfection. Downregulation of the IL-24 signaling pathway significantly reduced the severity of keratitis, whereas rIL-24 exacerbated P. aeruginosa-mediated tissue destruction. In vitro, rIL-1β induced the expression of SOCS3, IL-24, IL-1β, and IL-6 in primary cultured human corneal epithelial cells. rIL-24, alternatively, stimulated the expression of SOCS3, but not the others. In conclusion, IL-24 promotes P. aeruginosa keratitis through the suppression of early protective mucosal immunity, culminating in increased severity of P. aeruginosa keratitis.