Signaling Pathways In Monocytes Research Articles

Contextualization Procedure and Modeling of Monocyte Specific TLR Signaling

Innate immunity is the first line of defense against invasion of pathogens. Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is involved in a variety of human diseases extending far beyond immune system–related diseases, affecting a number of different tissues and cell-types. Computational models often do not account for cell-type specific differences in signaling networks. Investigation of these differences and its phenotypic implications could increase understanding of cell signaling and processes such as inflammation. The wealth of knowledge for TLR signaling has been recently summarized in a stoichiometric signaling network applicable for constraint-based modeling and analysis (COBRA). COBRA methods have been applied to investigate tissue-specific metabolism using omics data integration. Comparable approaches have not been conducted using signaling networks. In this study, we present ihsTLRv2, an updated TLR signaling network accounting for the association of 314 genes with 558 network reactions. We present a mapping procedure for transcriptomic data onto signaling networks and demonstrate the generation of a monocyte-specific TLR network. The generated monocyte network is characterized through expression of a specific set of isozymes rather than reduction of pathway contents. While further tailoring the network to a specific stimulation condition, we observed that the quantitative changes in gene expression due to LPS stimulation affected the tightly connected set of genes. Differential expression influenced about one third of the entire TLR signaling network, in particular, NF-B activation. Thus, a cell-type and condition-specific signaling network can provide functional insight into signaling cascades. Furthermore, we demonstrate the energy dependence of TLR signaling pathways in monocytes.

Role for IL-10 in inducing functional impairment of monocytes upon TLR4 ligation in patients with chronic HCV infections

The consequences of chronic infection with the HCV on immunity to distinct pathogens are not fully appreciated, despite the potent modulatory effects of HCV on the immune system. We observed that upon TLR4 ligation, monocytes from chronic HCV patients demonstrated three to five times lower TNF and IL-12p40 production as compared with healthy individuals. However, augmented production of TNF, IL-12p40, and IL-12p70 by monocytes was observed upon stimulation with R848. Importantly, we observed that the levels of IL-10 in chronic HCV patients are higher in serum and that more IL-10 is produced by monocytes as compared with healthy individuals. The inhibitory effect of IL-10 on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes was only observed upon LPS stimulation but not upon R848 stimulation, showing that only the TLR4 pathway in monocytes is sensitive to the suppressive effects of IL-10. Interestingly, monocytes stimulated with the TLR4 agonist, but not TLR8 agonist, produced higher levels of IL-10 when exposed to patient serum as compared with serum from healthy individuals. Our results indicate that by differentially affecting TLR4 and TLR8 pathways, IL-10 may mediate highly selective modulation of the function of monocytes observed in chronic HCV patients. This suggests that there is no overall increased susceptibility to pathogens but a specific suppression of the functionality of TLR4 signaling pathway in monocytes, which is, at least partly, mediated via IL-10.

Pro-inflammatory activities induced by CyPA–EMMPRIN interaction in monocytes

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a critical driver of vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis. Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is the main ROS-induced factor that enhances the inflammatory activity of monocytes/macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque. However, the means by which CyPA interacts with monocytes/macrophages is unclear. Through Chemotaxis assay and ELISA test, we found CyPA strongly induced migration of monocytes and the expression of mmp-9, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. By Western blot, it demonstrated that CyPA activated NF-kappaB by ERK1/2 pathway. When blocking extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in monocytes, most of the CyPA effects including chemoattractant migration, activation of MAPK/NF-kappaB and cytokines releasing were significantly inhibited. Finally, CyPA simulation had no effect on EMMPRIN expression in monocytes. The current study shows that CyPA–EMMPRIN interaction is one of the key pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in monocytes, perhaps especially in response to ROS stimulation. This could be a potential target for atherosclerosis therapy.

Effects of Antiretroviral Protease Inhibitors on Live Poxvirus‐mediated Target Antigen Expression

Background: Live poxvirus‐based HIV‐1 vaccines have been tested as therapeutic vaccines and live highly attenuated strains of modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) has been evaluated as an alternative vaccine against smallpox in HIV‐1‐infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objective of this study was to determine the affect of ART on poxvirus‐mediated target antigen expression, processing, and presentation. Methods: Using a recombinant EGFP‐expressing VV (EGFP‐VV), we studied the efficiency of virus‐mediated protein expression in primary human monocytes in the presence of HIV‐1 protease inhibitors (PIs). Results: The PI, atazanavir, significantly inhibited EGFP expression in primary human monocytes infected with EGFP‐VV. Further studies demonstrated that atazanavir could block VV‐induced activation of PI3K signaling pathway in monocytes. PI3K was the most critical pathway among four cellular signaling pathways (PI3K, p38 MAKP, JNK, and ERK) examined in antigen expression by VV‐infected cells, as blocking the PI3K pathway with the specific inhibitor LY294002 at 25 μM exhibited 90.1% decrease of EGFP expression compared to non‐inhibitor‐treated control (DMSO).Conclusions: The HIV‐1 protease inhibitor, atazanavir, significantly inhibited EGFP expression in primary human monocytes infected with EGFP‐VV, probably through blockage of PI3K pathway.

Insulin augments matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in monocytes

Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), highly expressed in activated mononuclear cells in vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions, are the main proteolytic enzymes controlling plaque stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of monocyte MMP-9 by insulin. Stimulation of MMP-9 expression by insulin was time- and concentration-dependent in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Inhibition of insulin receptor (IR) maturation via inhibition of its activating convertase furin with the pharmacological furin-inhibitor decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone, as well as blocking of IGF-1R function with a IGF-1R blocking antibody, demonstrated that insulin mediates increases in MMP-9 via IR activation. Inhibition of insulin's "metabolic" phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling with wortmannin (50 nmol/L) or LY294002 (2.5 micromol/L) did not prevent insulin-dependent MMP-9 induction. In contrast inhibition of insulin's "mitogenic" Ras-Raf-mitogen-activated protein kinase-kinase pathways with PD98059 (15 micromol/L) or U0126 (2 micromol/L) inhibited insulin-induced MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity in THP-1 cells. Likewise, PD98059 inhibited insulin augmented MMP-9 levels in primary human monocytes, whereas wortmannin had no effect. This study demonstrates that insulin can induce MMP-9 via mitogenic signaling pathways in monocytes, whereas phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent signaling, typically altered in insulin resistance, is not required. Induction of MMP-9 by insulin may potentially contribute to a pro-inflammatory state and the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetics.

High Molecular Weight Kininogen Fragments Stimulate the Secretion of Interleukin-1β through the NFκ B, JNK and p38 MAP Kinase Signaling Pathways in Monocytes.

Plasma high molecular weight kininogen (HK) is cleaved in inflammatory diseases by kallikrein to cleaved HK (HKa). We have reported that HKa releases cytokines (TNFα , IL-1β , IL-6) and chemokines (IL-8 and MCP-1) from isolated human peripheral blood monocytes. At a concentration of 600nM, Glutathione -S- transferase (GST) fusion proteins of kininogen domain 3 (D3), E7P - an active fragment of domain 3 (aaG255-Q292), HK domain 5 (D5), and D5 recombinant peptide HG (aa K420-D474) each stimulated secretion of IL-1β from monocytes. Receptors on monocytes including Mac-1, LFA-1, uPAR and gC1qR are required for IL-1β secretion from monocytes. We now report the signaling pathways and evidence for synthesis of IL-1 β in monocytes stimulated by HKa. Inhibitors of signaling pathways initiated by NFkB, JNK and p38, but not ERK, decreased IL-1b release from monocytes. A specific inhibitor of NFkB, MG-132 (1, 10 and 100 μM) significantly reduced IL-1β release from monocytes by 69.7, 67.3, 88.5% respectively, when stimulated by GST-E7P. The release of IL-1β by LPS (10 μg/ml), was blocked 83.4% by MG-132 (100 μM). A specific inhibitor of JNK, SP 600125 (1, 10 and 100 μM) significantly reduced IL-1β release from monocytes by 55.7, 76.3, 78.9% respectively, when stimulated by GST-E7P. The release of IL-1β by LPS (10 μg/ml), was blocked 90.23% by SP 600125 (100 μM). A specific inhibitor of p38, SB202190 (1,10 and 100 μM) significantly reduced IL-1β release from monocytes by 27.8, 14.2, 91.0% respectively, when stimulated by E7P. The release of IL-1β by LPS (10 μg/ml), was blocked 76.8 % by SB202190 (100 μM). In contrast, the ERK activation inhibitor U0126 (1, 10 and 100 μM) failed to inhibit GST-E7P-induced release of IL-1β from monocytes but the release of IL-1β with LPS (10 μg/ml), was blocked by 77.4% at 100 μM. After monocytes (4 X 106/ml) were treated with HKa (600 nM) or LPS (10 ng/ml), total RNA was extracted and RT-PCR reactions for expression of IL-1β and gC1qR mRNA using specific primers were carried out. PCR products was separated in 4% ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels and photographed. No IL-1b mRNA was detected prior to exposure to HKa or LPS but both were detected at 1 hour. In contrast, gC1qR mRNA was present without stimulation by HKa. HKa domains 3 and 5 may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases by stimulating the synthesis and release of IL-1β from human monocytes using intracellular signaling pathways initiated by uPAR, β 2 integrins and gC1qR receptors.

Upregulation of TNF-alpha production signaling pathways in monocytes from patients with advanced cirrhosis: Possible role of Akt and IRAK-M

In cirrhosis, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha overproduction is involved in both the systemic complications and progression of liver injury. Since monocytes from patients with advanced cirrhosis have an increase in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha production, we hypothesized that an upregulation of TNF-alpha production pathways and/or alteration of constitutive and inducible suppressor of TNF-alpha hyperproduction (protein kinase B (Akt) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-M, respectively) should be found in monocytes of these patients. Thus, we investigated ex vivo the signaling pathways of TNF-alpha production before and after LPS incubation in monocytes from noninfected Child-Pugh C patients with advanced cirrhosis and healthy subjects. TNF-alpha production, expressions of intracellular TNF-alpha, toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), IkappaB-alpha, IRAK-1, IRAK-M, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and Akt activity were measured in monocytes. Cirrhotic monocytes without LPS have less TLR4 expression, less IkappaB-alpha protein levels, more TNF-alpha expression, higher MAP kinase activities and decreased Akt activity than control monocytes. In cirrhotic monocytes, LPS-induced TNF-alpha hyperproduction and signaling upregulation were associated with a lack of IRAK-M induction. Upregulated signaling pathways of the TNF-alpha production, decreased Akt activity and a lack of IRAK-M induction may be involved in the process of cirrhotic monocyte sensitization to produce TNF-alpha.

Activation of the anti‐inflammatory gene heme oxygenase‐1 by the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor AEBSF via an Akt, p38‐dependent signaling pathway in monocytes

Activation of the anti‐inflammatory gene heme oxygenase‐1 by the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor AEBSF via an Akt, p38‐dependent signaling pathway in monocytes

Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Activation by the NAD(P)H Oxidase Inhibitor 4-(2-Aminoethyl) Benzenesulfonyl Fluoride via a Protein Kinase B, p38-dependent Signaling Pathway in Monocytes

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is the inducible isoform of the rate-limiting enzyme of heme degradation and modulates the inflammatory immune response. Because HO-1 is up-regulated by NAD(P)H oxidase activators such as lipopolysaccharide and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in monocytic cells, we investigated the gene regulation of HO-1 by the chemical NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF). Unexpectedly, AEBSF induced endogenous gene expression and promoter activity of HO-1 in cell cultures of human and mouse monocytes. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PKB) pathway by pharmacological inhibitors and cotransfection of an expression vector for a dominant negative mutant of PKB reduced the AEBSF-dependent induction of HO-1 gene transcription. Accordingly, overexpressed constitutively active PKB markedly up-regulated HO-1 promoter activity. AEBSF activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) JNK and p38. Inhibition of p38alpha and p38beta, but not that of JNK or p38gamma and p38delta, prevented the induction of HO-1 gene expression by AEBSF. p38 was stimulated by AEBSF in a PKB-dependent manner as demonstrated by a luciferase assay with a Gal4-CHOP fusion protein. Finally, AEBSF- and PKB-dependent induction of HO-1 promoter activity was reduced by simultaneous mutation of an E-box motif (-47/-42) and a cAMP response element/AP-1 element (-664/-657) of the proximal HO-1 gene promoter. Overexpression of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor USF2 and coactivator p300 enhanced the AEBSF-dependent response of the HO-1 promoter. The data suggest that the transcriptional induction of HO-1 gene expression by AEBSF is mediated via activation of a PKB, p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 Is an Essential Mediator of CD40-Activated Proinflammatory Pathways in Monocytes and Macrophages

The interaction between CD40 and its ligand, CD154, has been shown to play a role in the onset and maintenance of inflammatory disease. Contributing to this process is the ability of CD40 to signal monocyte and macrophage inflammatory cytokine production. We have shown that this event is dependent on Src family tyrosine kinase activity and the subsequent activation of ERK1/2. To address the role of TNFR-associated factor (TRAF) family members in facilitating this signaling pathway, we transfected a CD40-deficient macrophage cell line with wild-type human CD40, or with CD40 containing disrupted TRAF binding sites. Ligation of either wild-type CD40, or a CD40 mutant unable to bind TRAF2/3/5, resulted in the stimulation of inflammatory cytokine production. However, ligation of a CD40 mutant lacking a functional TRAF6 binding site did not initiate inflammatory cytokine production, and this mutant was found to be defective in CD40-mediated activation of ERK1/2, as well as IkappaB kinase (IKK) and NF-kappaB. Likewise, introduction of a dominant-negative TRAF6 into a wild-type (CD40(+)) macrophage cell line resulted in abrogation of CD40-mediated induction of inflammatory cytokine synthesis. Finally, treatment of monocytes with a cell-permeable peptide corresponding to the TRAF6-binding motif of CD40 inhibited CD40 activation of ERK1/2, IKK, and inflammatory cytokine production. These data demonstrate that TRAF6 acts as a critical adapter of both the Src/ERK1/2 and IKK/NF-kappaB proinflammatory signaling pathways in monocytes and macrophages.

Beta1 and beta2 integrins activate different signalling pathways in monocytes.

Integrin-mediated signals play an important but poorly understood role in regulating many leucocyte functions. In monocytes and macrophages, integrins of the beta2 subfamily are involved in cell-cell interactions that are important for migration of the cells through the endothelium and also for phagocytosis. On the other hand, in the same cells, beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins results in a strong induction of immediate early genes that are important in inflammation. To investigate the signalling pathways from these two types of integrin in monocytic cells, THP-1 cells were selectively stimulated via beta1 or beta2 integrins by cross-linking each type of receptor with specific monoclonal antibodies or their natural ligands. The involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Syk and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) was then analysed. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation was also detected in THP-1 cells transiently transfected with an NF-kappaB-driven luciferase reporter gene. We found that binding of both types of integrin to their natural ligands activated ERK in a Syk- and PI-3K-dependent manner. Yet, cross-linking of integrins by anti-beta1 antibodies caused activation of ERK while that by anti-beta2 antibodies did not. Also both types of integrin activated NF-kappaB. However, PI-3K was required for beta1 integrin-, but not beta2 integrin-, mediated NF-kappaB activation. In addition, inhibition of PI-3K with wortmannin and LY294002 blocked beta1 integrin-mediated NF-kappaB activation, but did not affect that mediated by beta2 integrin. These data suggest that distinct integrins activate different signalling pathways in monocytic cells.

β1 and β2 integrins activate different signalling pathways in monocytes

Integrin-mediated signals play an important but poorly understood role in regulating many leucocyte functions. In monocytes and macrophages, integrins of the β2 subfamily are involved in cell—cell interactions that are important for migration of the cells through the endothelium and also for phagocytosis. On the other hand, in the same cells, β1 integrin-mediated adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins results in a strong induction of immediate early genes that are important in inflammation. To investigate the signalling pathways from these two types of integrin in monocytic cells, THP-1 cells were selectively stimulated via β1 or β2 integrins by cross-linking each type of receptor with specific monoclonal antibodies or their natural ligands. The involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Syk and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) was then analysed. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation was also detected in THP-1 cells transiently transfected with an NF-κB-driven luciferase reporter gene. We found that binding of both types of integrin to their natural ligands activated ERK in a Syk- and PI-3K-dependent manner. Yet, cross-linking of integrins by anti-β1 antibodies caused activation of ERK while that by anti-β2 antibodies did not. Also both types of integrin activated NF-κB. However, PI-3K was required for β1 integrin-, but not β2 integrin-, mediated NF-κB activation. In addition, inhibition of PI-3K with wortmannin and LY294002 blocked β1 integrin-mediated NF-κB activation, but did not affect that mediated by β2 integrin. These data suggest that distinct integrins activate different signalling pathways in monocytic cells.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 causes differential signalling mediated by proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 in THP-1 cells.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) has a crucial role in atherogenesis and inflammation. However, MCP-1-mediated signalling pathways in monocytes have not been fully elucidated. In the present study we investigated the role of tyrosine kinases such as proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) in MCP-1-mediated signal transduction in the monocytic cell line THP-1. Pyk2 was tyrosine phosphorylated very quickly after stimulation with MCP-1. We found that Lyn, Shc and paxillin were also tyrosine phosphorylated by MCP-1. We examined the association of these molecules by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis. The association of Pyk2 with Lyn was dependent on stimulation with MCP-1 and on tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2. Phosphorylation of p38 was also dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2. However, the association of Pyk2 with paxillin and Grb2 was not affected by stimulation with MCP-1. Phosphorylation of ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase) was not affected by overexpression of kinase-negative Pyk2. Our results indicate that Pyk2 forms a complex with paxillin, Grb2 and Lyn in THP-1 cells. However, Pyk2 is not always involved in MCP-1-mediated signalling pathways.