Rapamycin attenuates acute lung injury induced by LPS through inhibition of Th17 cell proliferation in mice

Th17 cells have been confirmed to increase neutrophils through cytokine secretions. ALI/ARDS are characterized as neutrophil infiltration in inflammation cases; however, there is conflicting information concerning the role of Th17 cells in ALI/ARDS, as well as their potential treatment value. We measured Th17-linear cytokines in the plasma of patients with sepsis-related ARDS. The consistently high levels of IL-17 and IL-22 in the nonsurvivors suggested that overreaction of the Th17-mediated immune response may be a risk factor for poor outcomes. Th17 linear cytokines were also increased in an LPS-induced murine model of acute lung injury, along with neutrophil accumulation. The mice that completely lacked IL-17 failed to accumulate and activate neutrophils. Lung inflammation was obviously attenuated in the IL-17(-)/(-) mice. Meanwhile, the neutrophil count was markedly increased in the healthy WT mice challenged with recombinant IL-22 and IL-17. Rapamycin attenuated lung injury by inhibiting the differentiation of Th17 cells through RORγt and STAT3 dysfunction. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SOCS3 and Gfi1, which were responsible for the molecular suppression of RORγt and STAT3, were up-regulated by rapamycin. These results point toward a pivotal view to treatment of ALI through weakening the proliferation of Th17 cells with rapamycin.