Emerging Biological Functions of IL-17A: A New Target in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Meiling Liu,Yin Huang,Kang Wu,Mingming Yang,Jinduan Lin,Song Wu,Weiye Deng,Yifan Wang,Xuefeng Li,Wen Jiang,Shiyan Dong,Yuan Liu,Jun Zeng,Zhaogang Yang,Qingqiang Xie

doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.695957

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes high rates of disability and mortality worldwide because of severe progressive and irreversible symptoms. During the period of COPD initiation and progression, the immune system triggers the activation of various immune cells, including Regulatory T cells (Tregs), dendritic cells (DCs) and Th17 cells, and also the release of many different cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-17A and TGF-β. In recent years, studies have focused on the role of IL-17A in chronic inflammation process, which was found to play a highly critical role in facilitating COPD. Specially, IL-17A and its downstream regulators are potential therapeutic targets for COPD. We mainly focused on the possibility of IL-17A signaling pathways that involved in the progression of COPD; for instance, how IL-17A promotes airway remodeling in COPD? How IL-17A facilitates neutrophil inflammation in COPD? How IL-17A induces the expression of TSLP to promote the progression of COPD? Whether the mature DCs and Tregs participate in this process and how they cooperate with IL-17A to accelerate the development of COPD? And above associated studies could benefit clinical application of therapeutic targets of the disease. Moreover, four novel efficient therapies targeting IL-17A and other molecules for COPD are also concluded, such as Bufei Yishen formula (BYF), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and curcumin, a natural polyphenol extracted from the root of Curcuma longa.

Highlights

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by airflow obstruction and gas trapping of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, causes high morbidity and mortality
Increased expression of IL17A promotes the progression of COPD, but some specific underlying mechanisms which promote the development of this disease is still unknown
We looked into the relationship between Interleukin-17 A (IL-17A) and immune cells, chemokines, cytokines, and transcription factors to explore and discuss several possible mechanisms of IL-17A in promoting COPD progression

Summary

Target in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Meiling Liu 1†, Kang Wu 2,3†, Jinduan Lin 1†, Qingqiang Xie 1, Yuan Liu 1, Yin Huang 1, Jun Zeng 1, Zhaogang Yang 4, Yifan Wang 5, Shiyan Dong 5, Weiye Deng 5, Mingming Yang 4, Song Wu 2,3*, Wen Jiang 5* and Xuefeng Li 1,2*. During the period of COPD initiation and progression, the immune system triggers the activation of various immune cells, including Regulatory T cells (Tregs), dendritic cells (DCs) and Th17 cells, and the release of many different cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-17A and TGF-β. Studies have focused on the role of IL-17A in chronic inflammation process, which was found to play a highly critical role in facilitating COPD. IL-17A and its downstream regulators are potential therapeutic targets for COPD. How IL-17A facilitates neutrophil inflammation in COPD? How IL-17A induces the expression of TSLP to promote the progression of COPD? Whether the mature DCs and Tregs participate in this process and how they cooperate with IL-17A to accelerate the development of COPD? Four novel efficient therapies targeting IL-17A and other molecules for COPD are concluded, such as Bufei Yishen formula (BYF), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and curcumin, a natural polyphenol extracted from the root of Curcuma longa

INTRODUCTION

RELATIVE IMPORTANT AND COMMON MOLECULES PROMOTING COPD DEVELOPMENT

PREVENTION AND PRESENT TREATMENT

Novel and Promising Drug Treatments

CONCLUSION

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS