Bacterial endotoxin induces IL-20 expression in the glial cells

The regulatory mechanisms leading to IL-20 expression during infection have not been elucidated. In the present study, we found that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced IL-20 expression in the primary cultured glial cells and RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. Pretreatment with protein synthesis inhibitor puromycin or cycloheximide failed to inhibit the expression of IL-20, suggesting that the expression was not dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is an important adaptor molecule for Toll-like receptor signaling. We observed complete inhibition of LPS-induced expression of IL-20 in the primary cultured glial cells prepared from MyD88-deficient mice. Furthermore, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB203580, inhibited LPS-induced expression of IL-20 mRNA. LPS-induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation was delayed in MyD88-deficient glial cells. Therefore, it is suggested that LPS induces IL-20 expression through MyD88-p38-dependent mechanisms. As dexamethasone inhibited LPS-induced IL-20 expression, the expression of IL-20 is regulated by a negative feedback loop mediated through glucocorticoids. Therefore, it is suggested that IL-20 may play a crucial role in inflammatory conditions in the brain.