MyD88-deficient Dendritic Cells Research Articles

Critical role of TRIF and MyD88 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp70-mediated activation of dendritic cells

As a potent immune regulator, heat shock protein 70 derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb Hsp70) has adjuvant effect and activates immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Although Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known to involve in DCs activation by Mtb Hsp70, there is still a controversy and the underlying mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we examined whether TRIF and MyD88, the core adaptor molecules for TLRs signaling, regulate Mtb Hsp70-induced DCs activation. Although Mtb Hsp70 produced substantial level of cytokines (IL-6, IL-12p40, and TNF-α) in TRIF-deficient DCs in a dose-dependent manner, each level was significantly lower than that in WT cells. The cytokines production was almost abolished in MyD88-deficient DCs. Consistent with cytokine results, Mtb Hsp70-induced activation of NF-κB and MAPKs was also impaired in both TRIF- and MyD88-deficient DCs, as compared with WT cells. Inhibitor assay revealed that NF-κB, ERK, and JNK, but not p38, regulate Mtb Hsp70-induced production of cytokines. In addition, the up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and MHC class II was mostly TRIF-dependent in DCs in response Mtb Hsp70, whereas MyD88 was only partially involved. Finally, mixed leukocytes reaction (MLR) assay revealed that both TRIF and MyD88 are critical for DCs ability promoted by Mtb Hsp70 to differentiate naïve T cells into effector T cells of producing IFN-γ. Our findings suggest that both TRIF and MyD88 are essential for the activation and maturation of DCs in response to Mtb Hsp70.

Cell-wall deficient L. monocytogenes L-forms feature abrogated pathogenicity.

Stable L-forms are cell wall-deficient bacteria which are able to multiply and propagate indefinitely, despite the absence of a rigid peptidoglycan cell wall. We investigated whether L-forms of the intracellular pathogen L. monocytogenes possibly retain pathogenicity, and if they could trigger an innate immune response. While phagocytosis of L. monocytogenes L-forms by non-activated macrophages sometimes resulted in an unexpected persistence of the bacteria in the phagocytes, they were effectively eliminated by IFN-γ preactivated or bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM). These findings were in line with the observed down-regulation of virulence factors in the cell-wall deficient L. monocytogenes. Absence of Interferon-β (IFN-β) triggering indicated inability of L-forms to escape from the phagosome into the cytosol. Moreover, abrogated cytokine response in MyD88-deficient dendritic cells (DC) challenged with L. monocytogenes L-forms suggested an exclusive TLR-dependent host response. Taken together, our data demonstrate a strong attenuation of Listeria monocytogenes L-form pathogenicity, due to diminished expression of virulence factors and innate immunity recognition, eventually resulting in elimination of L-form bacteria from phagocytes.

O010 Activation of the Syk-CARD9-Bcl10-mediated novel innate immune system is critically involved in defense against leishmania major infection

Introduction While Th1-type acquired immunity is important for defense against Leishmania major , it remains elusive how innate immunity is activated in response to L. major infection. ITAM-coupled receptor/Syk/CARD9/Bcl10 signaling, a novel innate immune system, is essential for NF- κ B activation and inflammatory cytokine production in response to, for instance, fungal infection. Methods To examine the involvement of the CARD9-mediated innate immune system in defense against L. major , CARD9-deficient dendritic cells (DCs) were infected in vitro with L. major and TNF- α production examined. Activation of Syk/CARD9-mediated signaling was also examined. CARD9-deficient mice were infected in vivo with L. major and susceptibility and local inflammatory responses, as well as Th1 differentiation were examined. Results TNF- α production by CARD9-deficient DCs in vitro was impaired as compared to wild-type or MyD88-deficient DCs. Involvement of Syk and Bcl-10 was also demonstrated. In vivo , swelling as well as parasite burden in L. major- infected footpads 2 weeks after infection was significantly increased in CARD9-deficient mice as compared to wild-type mice. Consistent with the parasite burden, both L. major- specific Th1 induction and pro-inflammatory cytokine production at an early phase of infection were reduced in CARD9-deficient mice as compared to wild-type mice. Conclusion Syk-CARD9-Bcl10 signaling is crucial for the activation of innate immunity at the early stage of L. major infection and regulates the subsequent induction of proper Th1 cell responses. This is the first observation that protozoa infection activates the novel innate immune system. To identify the responsible receptors, we screened a series of known ITAM-coupled receptor-Ig fusion proteins for binding to L. majo r and have found some candidates that may act as innate sensors for L. major .

Autoimmunity Stimulated by Adoptively Transferred Dendritic Cells Is Initiated by Both αβ and γδ T Cells but Does Not Require MyD88 Signaling

Vaccination of nonautoimmune prone mice with syngeneic dendritic cells (DC) readily induces anti-DNA autoantibodies but does not trigger systemic disease. We observed that anti-DNA autoantibody generation absolutely required alphabeta T cells and that gammadelta T cells also contributed to the response, but that regulatory T cells restrained autoantibody production. Although both NZB/W F(1) mice and DC vaccinated C57/BL6 mice produced autoantibodies against dsDNA, vaccinated mice had higher levels of Abs against H1 histone and lower levels of antinucleosome Abs than NZB/W F(1) mice. Despite a 100-fold increase in IL-12 and Th1 skewing to a foreign Ag, OVA, synergistic TLR activation of DC in vitro failed to augment anti-DNA Abs or promote class switching beyond that induced by LPS alone. TLR stimulation was not absolutely required for the initial loss of B cell tolerance because anti-DNA levels were similar when wild-type (WT) or MyD88-deficient DC were used for vaccination or WT and MyD88-deficient recipients were vaccinated with WT DC. In contrast, systemic administration of LPS, augmented anti-DNA Ab levels and promoted class switching, and this response was dependent on donor DC signaling via MyD88. LPS also augmented responses in the MyD88-deficient recipients, suggesting that LPS likely exerts its effects on both transferred DC and host B cells in vivo. These results indicate that both the alphabeta and gammadelta subsets are necessary for promoting autoantibody production by DC vaccination, and that although TLR/MyD88 signaling is not absolutely required for initiation, this pathway does promote augmentation, and Th1-mediated skewing, of anti-DNA autoantibodies.

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 is required for cross-priming in vivo.

We describe a role for myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) in the induction of functional CTLs in vivo, in response to exogenously administered Ag, using a heat shock fusion protein, hsp65-P1, as a model Ag. CD8 T cells transferred into MyD88-deficient animals produce normal numbers of CD8 effector cells that have normal activation marker profiles after immunization with hsp65-P1. However, these CD8 T cells produced significantly less IFN-gamma and showed reduced killing activity. This reduction in activation of functional CTLs appears to be unrelated to Toll-like receptor 4 function, because in vitro hsp65-P1-experienced Toll-like receptor 4-deficient dendritic cells (DCs), but not MyD88-deficient DCs, activated CD8 T cells to a similar extent to wild-type DCs. We identify a cross-presentation defect in MyD88-deficient DCs that, when treated with hsp65-P1 fusion protein, results in surface display of fewer SIYRYYGL/class I MHC complexes. Thus, MyD88 plays a role in the developmental maturation of DCs that allows them to prime CD8 T cells through cross-presentation.

HSP70 as Endogenous Stimulus of the Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor Signal Pathway

Human heat-shock protein (HSP)70 activates innate immune cells and hence requires no additional adjuvants to render bound peptides immunogenic. Here we tested the assumption that endogenous HSP70 activates the Toll/IL-1 receptor signal pathway similar to HSP60 and pathogen-derived molecular patterns. We show that HSP70 induces interleukin-12 (IL-12) and endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) promoters in macrophages and that this is controlled by MyD88 and TRAF6. Furthermore, HSP70 causes MyD88 relocalization and MyD88-deficient dendritic cells do not respond to HSP70 with proinflammatory cytokine production. Using the system of genetic complementation with Toll-like receptors (TLR) we found that TLR2 and TLR4 confer responsiveness to HSP70 in 293T fibroblasts. The expanding list of endogenous ligands able to activate the ancient Toll/IL-1 receptor signal pathway is in line with the "danger hypothesis" proposing that the innate immune system senses danger signals even if they originate from self.