IL-20 Cytokines Are Involved in the Repair of Airway Epithelial Barrier: Implication in Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and in COPD Pathology.

Background: Dysregulated inflammation as seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with impaired wound healing. IL-20 cytokines are known to be involved in wound healing processes. The purpose of this study was to use ex vivo and in vitro approaches mimicking COPD to evaluate the potential modulatory role of interleukin-20 (IL-20) on the inflammatory and healing responses to epithelial wounding.

Production of Interleukin-20 cytokines limits bacterial clearance and lung inflammation during infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia worldwide. Previous reports showed that IL-20 cytokines (IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24) are induced and have an immuno-regulatory function during cutaneous infection. In the current study, our aim was to demonstrate the implication of IL-20 cytokines and their receptors and their role during experimental pneumococcal infection.