In addition to their microbiocidal properties, human β-defensins (hBDs) and cathelicidin LL-37 stimulate a number of mammalian cell activities, including migration, proliferation, and cytokine/chemokine production. Because hBDs and LL-37 cause mast cells to release pruritogens such as histamine and PGs, we hypothesized that these peptides would stimulate the secretion of a novel pruritogenic mediator IL-31, predominantly produced by T cells. hBDs and LL-37 enhanced IL-31 gene expression and IL-31 protein production and release in the human mast cell line LAD2, as well as in peripheral blood-derived cultured mast cells, suggesting that mast cells are another source of IL-31. Moreover, the expression of IL-31 was elevated in psoriatic skin mast cells, and hBD-2–4 and LL-37, but not hBD-1, enhanced its expression in vivo in rat skin mast cells. hBDs and LL-37 also induced the release of other pruritogenic mediators, including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, GM-CSF, nerve growth factor, PGE2, and leukotriene C4, and increased mRNA expression of substance P. hBD– and LL-37–mediated IL-31 production/release was markedly reduced by pertussis toxin and wortmannin, inhibitors of G-protein and PI3K, respectively. As evidenced by the inhibitory effects of MAPK-specific inhibitors, hBD-2–4 and LL-37 activated the phosphorylation of MAPKs p38, ERK, and JNK that were required for IL-31 production and release. The ability of hBDs and LL-37 to stimulate the production and release of IL-31 by human mast cells provides a novel mechanism by which skin-derived antimicrobial peptides/proteins may contribute to inflammatory reactions and suggests a central role of these peptides in the pathogenesis of skin disorders.
