IL-19 reduces ligation-mediated neointimal hyperplasia by reducing vascular smooth muscle cell activation.

We tested the hypothesis that IL-19, a putative member of the type 2 helper T-cell family of anti-inflammatory interleukins, can attenuate intimal hyperplasia and modulate the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) response to injury. Ligated carotid artery of IL-19 knockout (KO) mice demonstrated a significantly higher neointima/intima ratio compared with wild-type (WT) mice (P = 0.04).

Attenuation of experimental atherosclerosis by interleukin-19.

Objective: Interleukin-19 (IL-19) is a putative Th2, anti-inflammatory interleukin. Its expression and potential role in atherogenesis are unknown. IL-19 is not detected in normal artery and is expressed to a greater degree in plaque from symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients, suggesting a compensatory counter-regulatory function.