Purpose: Low-dose interleukin-2 (ld-IL-2) has been shown to regulate the balance between effector T and regulatory T (Treg) cells and has been used in several clinical trials to treat autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we investigated the effects of ld-IL-2 on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.
Methods: Arthritis severity in CIA mice was measured using the arthritis index (AI), radiographs, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokines were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gut microbiota alterations and short-chain fatty acid production were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography.
Results: The AI scores of CIA mice treated with ld-IL-2 were significantly lower compared to the model group, which significantly reduced the severity of arthritis. Ld-IL-2 also altered the gut microbiota in CIA mice. The diversity, composition, and dominant species of gut microbiota were altered by ld-IL-2 treatment. Ld-IL-2 also increased short-chain fatty acid levels. There was a strong correlation between ld-IL-2 treatment and improved gut microbiota.
Conclusion: Ld-IL-2 significantly ameliorated joint inflammation and bone damage and improved gut microbial dysbiosis in CIA, indicating that it may be a promising therapy for RA patients.
Keywords: low-dose IL-2, CIA, gut microbiota, SCFA, 16sRNA