Macrophage Tolerance Research Articles

TNF Tolerance in Monocytes and Macrophages: Characteristics and Molecular Mechanisms.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) tolerance in monocytes and macrophages means that preexposure to TNF reduces the sensitivity in these cells to a subsequent restimulation with this cytokine. Differential effects arise following preincubation with both low and high doses of TNF resulting in absolute as well as induction tolerance affecting specific immunologically relevant gene sets. In this review article, we summarize the relevance of TNF tolerance in vivo and the molecular mechanisms underlying these forms of tolerance including the role of transcription factors and signaling systems. In addition, the characteristics of cross-tolerance between TNF and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as pathophysiological aspects of TNF tolerance are discussed. We conclude that TNF tolerance may represent a protective mechanism involved in the termination of inflammation and preventing excessive or prolonged inflammation. Otherwise, tolerance may also be a trigger of immune paralysis thus contributing to severe inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. An improved understanding of TNF tolerance will presumably facilitate the implementation of diagnostic or therapeutic approaches to more precisely assess and treat inflammation-related diseases.

The therapeutic potential of epigenetic manipulation during infectious diseases.

Epigenetic modifications are increasingly recognized as playing an important role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. They represent a critical mechanism regulating transcriptional profiles in the immune system that contributes to the cell-type and stimulus specificity of the transcriptional response. Recent data highlight how epigenetic changes impact macrophage functional responses and polarization, influencing the innate immune system through macrophage tolerance and training. In this review we will explore how post-translational modifications of histone tails influence immune function to specific infectious diseases. We will describe how these may influence outcome, highlighting examples derived from responses to acute bacterial pathogens, models of sepsis, maintenance of viral latency and HIV infection. We will discuss how emerging classes of pharmacological agents, developed for use in oncology and other settings, have been applied to models of infectious diseases and their potential to modulate key aspects of the immune response to bacterial infection and HIV therapy.

Macrophage tolerance in the gut: It is in the epigenome!

Intestinal macrophages are functionally specialized to phagocytose bacteria, including harmful and invading pathogens, without releasing pro-inflammatory mediators. This unique functional combination guarantees an optimal defense against millions of gut bacteria while at the same time protecting the host from inflammation-related tissue damage. IL-10 seems to be a critical tissue factor involved in this balance and deficiencies in IL-10 in humans and mice have been shown to deteriorate this fine balance, leading to chronic inflammation and diseases such as Crohn's disease. However, the molecular mechanisms downstream of IL-10 are poorly understood. In this issue of European Journal of Immunology, Simon etal. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2016. 46: 1912-1925] demonstrate that the chromatin landscape in gut macrophages derived from mice lacking IL-10 is characteristic of inflammatory macrophages, even in the absence of bacteria. The observed changes of the chromatin landscape represent an important initiating event in chronic intestinal inflammation. These observations are not only an excellent example linking a classical loss-of-function experiment to a molecular mechanism responsible for the induction of chronic inflammation; they also open up new avenues for targeting chromatin and remodeling enzymes in Crohn's disease.

Frontline Science: ATF3 is responsible for the inhibition of TNF-α release and the impaired migration of acute ethanol-exposed monocytes and macrophages.

Binge drinking represses host innate immunity and leads to a high risk of infection. Acute EtOH-pretreated macrophages exhibit a decreased production of proinflammatory mediators in response to LPS. ATF3 is induced and counter-regulates the LPS/TLR4 inflammatory cascade. Here, we investigated the potential role of ATF3 in LPS tolerance in acute ethanol-pretreated macrophages. We found that there was an inverse correlation between ATF3 and LPS-induced TNF-α production in acute ethanol-pretreated murine monocytes and macrophages. The knockdown of ATF3 attenuated the inhibitory effects of acute ethanol treatment on LPS-induced TNF-α production. Furthermore, ChIP assays and co-IP demonstrated that ATF3, together with HDAC1, negatively modulated the transcription of TNF-α. In binge-drinking mice challenged with LPS, an up-regulation of ATF3 and HDAC1 and a concomitant decrease in TNF-α were observed. Given that HDAC1 was concomitantly induced in acute ethanol-exposed monocytes and macrophages, we used the HDACi TSA or silenced HDAC1 to explore the role of HDAC1 in acute ethanol-treated macrophages. Our results revealed that TSA treatment and HDAC1 knockdown prevented acute ethanol-induced ATF3 expression and the inhibition of TNF-α transcription. These data indicated a dual role for HDAC1 in acute ethanol-induced LPS tolerance. Furthermore, we showed that the induction of ATF3 led to the impaired migration of BM monocytes and macrophages. Overall, we present a novel role for ATF3 in the inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-α and in the impairment of monocyte and macrophage migration.

Nur77-deficiency in bone marrow-derived macrophages modulates inflammatory responses, extracellular matrix homeostasis, phagocytosis and tolerance.

BackgroundThe nuclear orphan receptor Nur77 (NR4A1, TR3, or NGFI-B) has been shown to modulate the inflammatory response of macrophages. To further elucidate the role of Nur77 in macrophage physiology, we compared the transcriptome of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) from wild-type (WT) and Nur77-knockout (KO) mice.ResultsIn line with previous observations, SDF-1α (CXCL12) was among the most upregulated genes in Nur77-deficient BMM and we demonstrated that Nur77 binds directly to the SDF-1α promoter, resulting in inhibition of SDF-1α expression. The cytokine receptor CX3CR1 was strongly downregulated in Nur77-KO BMM, implying involvement of Nur77 in macrophage tolerance. Ingenuity pathway analyses (IPA) to identify canonical pathways regulation and gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) revealed a potential role for Nur77 in extracellular matrix homeostasis. Nur77-deficiency increased the collagen content of macrophage extracellular matrix through enhanced expression of several collagen subtypes and diminished matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity. IPA upstream regulator analyses discerned the small GTPase Rac1 as a novel regulator of Nur77-mediated gene expression. We identified an inhibitory feedback loop with increased Rac1 activity in Nur77-KO BMM, which may explain the augmented phagocytic activity of these cells. Finally, we predict multiple chronic inflammatory diseases to be influenced by macrophage Nur77 expression. GSEA and IPA associated Nur77 to osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and allergic airway inflammatory diseases.ConclusionsAltogether these data identify Nur77 as a modulator of macrophage function and an interesting target to treat chronic inflammatory disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2469-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

TLR4, TLR7/8 agonist-induced miR-146a promotes macrophage tolerance to MyD88-dependent TLR agonists.

TLRs facilitate the recognition of pathogens by immune cells and the initiation of the immune response, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Production of proinflammatory mediators by innate immune cells, such as macrophages, is tightly regulated to facilitate pathogen clearance while limiting an adverse impact on host tissue. Exposure of innate immune cells to TLR ligands induces a state of temporary refractoriness to a subsequent exposure of a TLR ligand, a phenomenon referred to as "tolerance." This study sought to evaluate the mechanistic regulation of TLR4 and TLR7/8 ligand-induced tolerance to other TLRs by microRNA-146a. With the use of THP-1 macrophages, as well as human classic and alternative macrophages, we demonstrate that priming with a TLR4 agonist (LPS) or a TLR7/8 agonist (R848) induces homologous and heterologous tolerance to various TLR ligands in macrophages, leading to the impaired production of cytokines and chemokines. We also demonstrate that overexpression of microRNA-146a is sufficient to mimic LPS or R848-induced hyporesponsiveness. Conversely, inhibition of microRNA-146a activity leads to LPS- or R848-induced TLR hyper-responsiveness in TLR signaling tolerance. Furthermore, we demonstrate that microRNA-146a dampens cytokine production following a primary stimulus with MyD88-dependent but not MyD88-independent TLR pathways. Collectively, these data provide comprehensive evidence of the central role of microRNA-146a in TLR signaling tolerance to plasma membrane, as well as endosomal TLR ligands in human macrophages.

Coordinated Regulation of miR-155 and miR-146a Genes during Induction of Endotoxin Tolerance in Macrophages.

Endotoxin tolerance occurs to protect the organism from hyperactivation of innate immune responses, primarily mediated by macrophages. Regulation of endotoxin tolerance occurs at multiple levels of cell responses and requires significant changes in gene expression. In the process of macrophage activation, induced expression of microRNA (miR)-155 and miR-146a contributes to the regulation of the inflammatory response and endotoxin tolerance. In this article, we demonstrate that expression of both miRNAs is coordinately regulated during endotoxin tolerance by a complex mechanism that involves monoallelic interchromosomal association, alterations in histone methyl marks, and transcription factor binding. Upon activation of naive macrophages, Histone3 was trimethylated at lysine4 and NFκBp65 was bound on both miR-155 and miR-146a gene loci. However, at the stage of endotoxin tolerance, both miR gene loci were occupied by C/EBPβ, NFκBp50, and the repressive Histone3 marks trimethylation of K9 of H3. DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments revealed monoallelic interchromosomal colocalization of miR-155 and miR-146a gene loci at the stage of endotoxin tolerance, whereas RNA-DNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments showed that the colocalized alleles were silenced, suggesting a common repression mechanism. Genetic ablation of Akt1, which is known to abrogate endotoxin tolerance, abolished induction of loci colocalization and C/EBPβ binding, further supporting that this mechanism occurs specifically in endotoxin tolerance. Overall, this study demonstrates that two miRNAs are coordinately regulated via gene colocalization at the three-dimensional chromatin space, same transcriptional machinery, and similar Histone3 methylation profile, contributing to the development of endotoxin tolerance.

Pellino-3 promotes endotoxin tolerance and acts as a negative regulator of TLR2 and TLR4 signaling.

Development of endotoxin tolerance in macrophages during sepsis reprograms Toll-like receptor 4 signaling to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines without suppressing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial mediators and protects the host from excessive inflammation and tissue damage. However, endotoxin tolerance renders septic patients immunocompromised and unable to control secondary infections. Although previous studies have revealed the importance of several negative regulators of Toll-like receptor signaling in endotoxin tolerance, the role of Pellino proteins has not been addressed. The present report shows that the induction of endotoxin tolerance in vivo in mice and in vitro in human monocytes and THP-1 and MonoMac-6 macrophages increases the expression of Pellino-3. Overexpression of Pellino-3 in human embryonic kidney 293/Toll-like receptor 2 or 293/Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor-2 cells inhibited Toll-like receptor 2/4-mediated activation of nuclear factor-κB and induction of CXCL-8 mRNA, and Pellino-3 ablation increased these responses. Pellino-3-deficient THP-1 cells had elevated Toll-like receptor 2/4-driven tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 mRNA, and Toll-like receptor 4-driven CCL5 gene expression in response to Toll-like receptor agonists and heat-killed Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, cytokines controlled by the MyD88 and Toll-interleukin-1R domain-containing protein inducing interferon-β-mediated pathways, respectively. In addition, deficiency in Pellino-3 slightly increased phagocytosis of heat-killed bacteria. Transfected Pellino-3 inhibited nuclear factor-κB activation driven by overexpression of MyD88, TIR domain-containing adapter inducing interferon-β, interleukin-1R-associated kinase-1, and tumor necrosis factor receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB-binding kinase-1, TGF-β-activated kinase 1, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-6, and inhibited interleukin-1R-associated kinase 1 modifications and tumor necrosis factor receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB-binding kinase 1 phosphorylation. Finally, Pellino-3 ablation in THP-1 decreased the extent of endotoxin tolerization. Thus, Pellino-3 is involved in endotoxin tolerance and functions as a negative regulator of Toll-like receptor 2/4 signaling.

Macrophage tolerance to MyD88-dependent TLR agonists is mediated by LPS-/R848-induced miR-146a (IRM12P.649)

Abstract Toll like receptors (TLRs) TLRs facilitate the recognition of pathogens by immune cells and the initiation of the immune response, leading to the production of proinflammatory mediators. Production of proinflammatory mediators by innate immune cells such as macrophages is tightly regulated to facilitate pathogen clearance while limiting adverse impact on host tissue. Exposure to TLR ligands induces a state of temporary refractoriness to a subsequent exposure of a TLR ligand, a phenomenon referred to as ‘tolerance’. This study sought to evaluate the mechanistic regulation of TLR4 and TLR7/8 ligand induced tolerance to other TLRs by miR-146a. Using THP-1 macrophages as well as human M1 and M2 macrophages, we demonstrate that priming with a TLR4 agonist (LPS) or a TLR7/8 agonist (R848) induce tolerance to a panel of TLR ligands in macrophages, leading to the impaired production of a variety of cytokines and chemokines. We also demonstrate that overexpression of miR-146a is sufficient to mimic LPS- or R848-induced hyporesponsiveness. Conversely, the knockdown of miR-146a leads to LPS- or R848-induced TLR hyperresponsiveness. Furthermore, we demonstrate that while miR-146a dampens cytokine production following a primary stimulus with MyD88-dependent, but not MyD88- independent TLR pathways. Collectively, these data provide comprehensive evidence of the central role of miR-146a in TLR signaling tolerance to plasma membrane as well as endosomal TLR ligands in human macrophages.

The Regulation of Endotoxin Tolerance and its Impact on Macrophage Activation.

Endotoxin tolerance in macrophages is a key regulatory mechanism to limit the innate immune response to infection or injury. Long considered a state of unresponsiveness to Toll-like receptor activation, tolerance is now recognized as a state of altered responsiveness to infection or injury. Endotoxin tolerance leads to a shift away from a pro-inflammatory response toward a response with key anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution features. Advances in our understanding of Toll-like receptor function have identified a number of molecular mechanisms that promote tolerance, but how these are integrated to achieve gene-specific regulation is an important outstanding question. The potential to harness the mechanisms of endotoxin tolerance to promote the resolution of chronic inflammation warrants the continued investigation of this fundamental feature of innate immunity. This review focuses on the endotoxin tolerant state, our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms, and the clinical significance of endotoxin tolerance.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Modulate the Severity of Sepsis-Induced Lung Injury.

Alterations in metabolic and bioenergetic homeostasis contribute to sepsis-mediated organ injury. However, how AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a major sensor and regulator of energy expenditure and production, affects development of organ injury and loss of innate capacity during polymicrobial sepsis remains unclear. In the present experiments, we found that cross-talk between the AMPK and GSK3β signaling pathways controls chemotaxis and the ability of neutrophils and macrophages to kill bacteria ex vivo. In mice with polymicrobial abdominal sepsis or more severe sepsis induced by the combination of hemorrhage and intraabdominal infection, administration of the AMPK activator metformin or the GSK3β inhibitor SB216763 reduced the severity of acute lung injury (ALI). Improved survival in metformin-treated septic mice was correlated with preservation of mitochondrial complex V (ATP synthase) function and increased amounts of ETC complex III and IV. Although immunosuppression is a consequence of sepsis, metformin effectively increased innate immune capacity to eradicate P. aeruginosa in the lungs of septic mice. We also found that AMPK activation diminished accumulation of the immunosuppressive transcriptional factor HIF-1α as well as the development of endotoxin tolerance in LPS-treated macrophages. Furthermore, AMPK-dependent preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential also prevented LPS-mediated dysfunction of neutrophil chemotaxis. These results indicate that AMPK activation reduces the severity of polymicrobial sepsis-induced lung injury and prevents the development of sepsis-associated immunosuppression.

The early induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and the downregulation of toll-like receptors 7 and 9 induce tolerance in costimulated macrophages.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 9 transduce a cellular signal through the MyD88-dependent pathway and induce the production of inflammatory mediators against microbial nucleotide components. The repeated stimulation of TLR4 leads to endotoxin tolerance, but the molecular mechanisms of tolerance induced through the costimulation of individual TLR has not yet been established, although endosomal TLRs share signaling pathways with TLR4. In the present study, mouse macrophages were simultaneously stimulated with the TLR7 agonist, gardiquimod (GDQ), and the TLR9 agonist, CpG ODN 1826, to examine the mechanism and effector functions of macrophage tolerance. Compared with individual stimulation, the costimulation of both TLRs reduced the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 through the delayed activation of the NF-κB pathway; notably, IL-10 remained unchanged in costimulated macrophages. This tolerance reflected the early induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), according to the detection of elevated TNF-α secretion and restored NF-κB signaling in response to the siRNA-mediated abrogation of SOCS-1 signaling. In addition, the restimulation of each TLRs using the same ligand significantly reduced the expression of both TLRs in endosomes. These findings revealed that the costimulation of TLR7 and TLR9 induced macrophage tolerance via SOCS-1, and the restimulation of each receptor or both TLR7 and TLR9 downregulated TLR expression through a negative feedback mechanisms that protects the host from excessive inflammatory responses. Moreover, the insufficient and impaired immune response in chronic viral infection might also reflect the repeated and simultaneous stimulation of those endosomal TLRs.

Sufficient production of geranylgeraniol is required to maintain endotoxin tolerance in macrophages

Endotoxin tolerance allows macrophages to produce large quantities of proinflammatory cytokines immediately after their contact with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), but prevents their further production after repeated exposure to LPSs. While this response is known to prevent overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, the mechanism through which endotoxin tolerance is established has not been identified. In the current study, we demonstrate that sufficient production of geranylgeraniol (GGOH) in macrophages is required to maintain endotoxin tolerance. We show that increased synthesis of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) protein following LPS treatment is required to produce enough GGOH to inhibit expression of Malt1, a protein known to stimulate expression of proinflammatory cytokines, in macrophages repeatedly exposed to LPSs. Depletion of GGOH caused by inhibition of HMGCR led to increased Malt1 expression in macrophages subjected to repeated exposure to LPSs. Consequently, endotoxin tolerance was impaired, and production of interleukin 1-β and other proinflammatory cytokines was markedly elevated in these cells. These results suggest that insufficient production of GGOH in macrophages may cause autoinflammatory diseases.

BALB/c- Specific L29V Polymorphism In SIRPA Determines The Efficient Engraftment Of Human Hematopoiesis In Xenogeneic Model

It has been shown that in xenotransplantation of human cells into immunodeficient mice, the mouse strain background is critical. For example, the non-obese diabetic (NOD) strain is most efficient, the BALB/c is moderate, and the C57BL/6 is inefficient for human cell engraftment. We have shown that the NOD-specific polymorphism of the signal regulatory protein-alpha (Sirpa) allows NOD SIRPA to bind human CD47, and the resultant “don't eat me” signaling by this binding prevents host macrophages to engulf human grafts, thereby inhibiting rejection. We then developed the C57BL/6.Rag2nullIl2rgnull strain harboring NOD-specific Sirpa, named the BRGS mouse. The efficiency of human cell engraftment in BRGS mice was equal to that of NOD.Rag2nullIl2rgnull mice. These findings clearly show that in addition to depletion of lymphocytes, inactivation of phagocytosis via the CD47-SIRPA interaction is one of the critical determinants to establish an efficient xenogeneic transplantation system. Here we tested whether the efficient xenotransplantation capability of the BALB/c strain is also mediated by the SIRPA-CD47 self-recognition system. BALB/c SIRPA was capable of binding to human CD47 at an intermediate level between those of C57BL/6 SIRPA and NOD SIRPA. Consistent with its binding activity, BALB/c-derived macrophages exhibited a moderate inhibitory effect on human long-term culture-initiating cells in in vitro cultures, and showed moderate phagocytic activity against human hematopoietic stem cells. DNA sequencing of the SIRPA IgV domain located in the CD47 binding site in each strain was performed. We identified 2 SNPs unique to BALB/c mice, and 3 SNPs unique to both BALB/c and NOD mice. Among these 5 SNPs, BALB/c strain has a Val residue at the 29th amino acid, whereas all other mouse strains have a Leu residue. Introduction of C57BL/6 SIRPA carrying the L29V mutation into C57BL/6 conferred the binding affinity to human CD47 equivalent to that of BALB/c SIRPA, indicating that L29V mutation at least contributes to the enhanced binding of BALB/c SIRPA to human CD47. Thus, BALB/c-specific L29V polymorphism in SIRPA renders to be able to recognize human CD47. Our data strongly suggest that the mouse strain effect on xenogeneic engraftment might be ascribed mainly to “macrophage tolerance” based on the binding affinity of strain-specific polymorphic murine SIRPA with human CD47. This information should be useful to develop a novel immunodeficient strain with superior efficiency for xenogeneic transplantation of human cells. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Role of Macrophage Receptor with Collagenous Structure in Innate Immune Tolerance

Macrophages play a key role in host defense against microbes, in part, through phagocytosis. Macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) is a scavenger receptor on the cell surface of macrophages that mediates opsonin-independent phagocytosis. The goal of our study is to investigate the role of MARCO in LPS or lipotechoic acid-induced macrophage tolerance. Although it has been established that expression of MARCO and phagocytosis is increased in tolerant macrophages, the transcriptional regulation and biological role of MARCO in tolerant macrophages have not been investigated. In this study, we confirm that tolerized mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) selectively increase expression of MARCO (both transcript and cell surface receptor) and increase phagocytosis. We found that H3K4me3 dynamic modification of a promoter site of MARCO was increased in tolerized BMDM. Blocking methylation by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine resulted in reduced H3K4me3 binding in the promoter of MARCO, decreased expression of MARCO, and impaired phagocytosis in tolerized BMDM. However, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine had no effect on the inflammatory component of innate immune tolerance. In aggregate, we found that histone methylation was critical to MARCO expression and phagocytosis in tolerized macrophages, but did not affect the inflammatory component of innate immune tolerance.

Wear particles promote endotoxin tolerance in macrophages by inducing interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase‐M expression

Wear particles promote endotoxin tolerance in macrophages by inducing interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase‐M expression

Molecular Mechanism Responsible for the Priming of Macrophage Activation

Host macrophages can be preprogrammed into opposing primed or tolerant states depending upon the nature and quantities of external stimulants. The paradigm of priming and tolerance has significant implications in the pathogenesis and resolution of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the responsible mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we report that super low dose bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as low as 5 pg/ml, primes the expression of proinflammatory mediators in macrophages upon a second high dose LPS challenge (100 ng/ml), although 5 pg/ml LPS itself does not trigger noticeable macrophage activation. Mice primed with super low dose LPS (0.5 μg/kg body weight) in vivo experience significantly elevated mortality following a second hit of high dose LPS as compared with saline-primed control mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that LPS primes macrophages by removing transcriptional suppressive RelB through interleukin receptor-associated kinase 1 and Tollip (Toll-interacting protein)-dependent mechanisms. This is in sharp contrast to the well documented RelB stabilization and induction by high dose LPS, potentially through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Super low dose and high dose LPS cause opposing modulation of interleukin receptor-associated kinase 1 and PI3K pathways and lead to opposing regulation of RelB. The pathway switching induced by super low versus high dose LPS underscores the importance of competing intracellular circuitry during the establishment of macrophage priming and tolerance.

Wear particles promote endotoxin tolerance in macrophages by inducing interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase‐M expression

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) play a role in local immunity and participate in implant-associated loosening. TLRs-mediated signaling is regulated by interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-M (IRAK-M). Our previous studies have proved that IRAK-M is induced by wear particles in macrophages from periprosthetic tissues. In this study, the IRAK-M-related mechanisms were further explored by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or titanium (Ti) particles stimulations and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The protein level of IRAK-M was studied using western blotting and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels were measured using ELISA. Results showed that in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS after Ti particle pre-exposure, IRAK-M was slightly changed, compared with LPS stimulation. And levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in cultures stimulated by LPS first after Ti particle pre-exposure were lower than in the other two groups which were stimulated by LPS with or without Ti particles (p < 0.001), whereas there were no statistic differences between the later two (p > 0.05). The cytokines were lowest in Ti particles alone stimulation. After siRNAs silenced, IRAK-M-deficient cells exhibited increased expression of the cytokines in LPS stimulation after Ti particle pre-exposure and when stimulated with Ti particles alone. Our findings suggest that debris-induced IRAK-M decreases foreign body reactions, but at the same time, the over-expression of IRAK-M may also be detrimental on local intrusion of PAMPs or bacteria, negatively regulates the LPS-induced and TLRs-mediated inflammation and results in immunosuppression in periprosthetic tissue, which may predispose to implant-associated infections.

IL-10 Regulates Il12b Expression via Histone Deacetylation: Implications for Intestinal Macrophage Homeostasis

To prevent excessive inflammatory responses to commensal microbes, intestinal macrophages, unlike their systemic counterparts, do not produce inflammatory cytokines in response to enteric bacteria. Consequently, loss of macrophage tolerance to the enteric microbiota plays a central role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. Therefore, we examined whether the hyporesponsive phenotype of intestinal macrophages is programmed by prior exposure to the microbiota. IL-10, but not in vivo exposure to the microbiota, programs intestinal macrophage tolerance, because wild-type (WT) colonic macrophages from germ-free and specific pathogen-free (SPF)-derived mice produce IL-10, but not IL-12 p40, when activated with enteric bacteria. Basal and activated IL-10 expression is mediated through a MyD88-dependent pathway. Conversely, colonic macrophages from germ-free and SPF-derived colitis-prone Il10(-/-) mice demonstrated robust production of IL-12 p40. Next, mechanisms through which IL-10 inhibits Il12b expression were investigated. Although Il12b mRNA was transiently induced in LPS-activated WT bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), expression persisted in Il10(-/-) BMDMs. There were no differences in nucleosome remodeling, mRNA stability, NF-κB activation, or MAPK signaling to explain prolonged transcription of Il12b in Il10(-/-) BMDMs. However, acetylated histone H4 transiently associated with the Il12b promoter in WT BMDMs, whereas association of these factors was prolonged in Il10(-/-) BMDMs. Experiments using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and HDAC3 short hairpin RNA indicate that HDAC3 is involved in histone deacetylation of the Il12b promoter by IL-10. These results suggest that histone deacetylation on the Il12b promoter by HDAC3 mediates homeostatic effects of IL-10 in macrophages.

Effects of aging on endotoxin tolerance induced by lipopolysaccharides derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli.

BackgroundPeriodontitis is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease. Exposure of the host to periodontal pathogens and their virulence factors induces a state of hyporesponsiveness to subsequent stimulations, termed endotoxin tolerance. Aging has a profound effect on immune response to bacteria challenge. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of aging on endotoxin tolerance induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS in murine peritoneal macrophages.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe studied the cytokine production (TNF-αand IL-10) and Toll-like receptor 2, 4 (TLR2, 4) gene and protein expressions in peritoneal macrophages from young (2-month-old) and middle-aged (12-month-old) ICR mice following single or repeated P. gingivalis LPS or E. coli LPS stimulation. Pretreatment of peritoneal macrophages with P. gingivalis LPS or E. coli LPS resulted in a reduction in TNF-α production and an increase in IL-10 production upon secondary stimulation (p<0.05), and the markedly lower levels of TNF-α and higher levels of IL-10 were observed in macrophages from young mice compared with those from middle-aged mice (p<0.05). In addition, LPS restimulations also led to the significantly lower expression levels of TLR2, 4 mRNA and protein in macrophages from young mice (p<0.05).Conclusions/SignificanceRepeated LPS stimulations triggered endotoxin tolerance in peritoneal macrophages and the ability to develop tolerance in young mice was more excellent. The impaired ability to develop endotoxin tolerance resulted from aging might be related to TLR2, 4 and might lead to the incontrollable periodontal inflammation in older adults.