Interleukin 6 Signaling Blockade Exacerbates Acute and Late Injury From Focal Intestinal Irradiation

Purpose To evaluate the acute changes in leukocyte populations after focal irradiation and to assess the role of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in acute and late radiation injury. Methods and Materials Mice were surgically implanted with a radiopaque marker on the surface of the small intestine. Mice were then imaged with cone beam computed tomography to locate the marker and irradiated with 18 Gy of 5 × 5 mm collimated x-rays onto the marked intestine using the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform. Intestinal sections and blood were harvested 1, 3.5, 7, and 14 days and 2 months postirradiation (post-IR) for histology and complete blood count, respectively. Immune cell populations were assessed by immunofluorescence in the acute phase. Collagen deposition was assessed 2 months post-IR. IL-6 –/– intestinal sections were assessed post-IR for morphology, EdU, Ki67, and TUNEL in comparison to IL-6 +/+ mice. Furthermore, a set of IL-6 +/+ mice were treated with anti-IL-6R to assess the role of IL-6 in late intestinal injury. Results Intestinal radiation damage peaked 14 days post-IR, and fibrosis had developed by 60 days post-IR. There was a marked infiltration of immune cells into the irradiated intestine, with increased neutrophils, macrophages, B-cells, and CD4 + T cells maintained from 3.5 to 14 days post-IR. CD8 + T cells were decreased from days 7 to 14 post-IR. Systemically, leukocytes were increased in the peripheral blood 14 days post-IR with anemia being maintained from 14 days to 2 months. IL-6 was significantly increased in the serum post-IR. IL-6 –/– mice demonstrated worsened intestinal injury acutely post-IR. Moreover, anti-IL-6R–treated mice presented with worsened intestinal fibrosis 2 months post-IR. Conclusions Focal irradiation of the intestine produced a significant increase in immune cells in the irradiated area and systemic inflammation and anemia. Blockade of IL-6 signaling was found to exacerbate acute intestinal injury and late intestinal injury after focal irradiation.