Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is recognized by Toll-like receptors and NOD2.

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). The importance of microorganisms in CD is supported by the association of CD with mutations in the intracellular pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2). The aim of this study is to investigate the PRR involved in the recognition of M. paratuberculosis. Methods used include in vitro stimulation of transfected cell lines, murine macrophages, and human PBMC. M. paratuberculosis stimulated human TLR2 (hTLR2)-Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells predominantly and hTLR4-CHO cells modestly. Macrophages from TLR2 and TLR4 knockout mice produced less cytokines compared with controls after stimulation with M. paratuberculosis. TLR4 inhibition in human PBMC reduced cytokine production only after stimulation with live M. paratuberculosis. TLR-induced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-10 production is mediated through MyD88, whereas Toll-IL-1R domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-beta (TRIF) promoted the release of IL-1beta. hNOD2-human embryo kidney (HEK) cells, but not hNOD1-HEK cells, responded to stimulation with M. paratuberculosis. PBMC of individuals homozygous for the 3020insC NOD2 mutation showed a 70% defective cytokine response after stimulation with M. paratuberculosis. These results demonstrate that TLR2, TLR4, and NOD2 are involved in the recognition of M. paratuberculosis by the innate immune system.

Divergent effects of IL-12 and IL-23 on the production of IL-17 by human T cells.

IL-23 is regarded as a major pro-inflammatory mediator in autoimmune disease, a role which until recently was ascribed to its related cytokine IL-12. IL-23, an IL-12p40/p19 heterodimeric protein, binds to IL-12Rbeta1/IL-23R receptor complexes. Mice deficient for p19, p40 or IL-12Rbeta1 are resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or collagen-induced arthritis. Paradoxically, however, IL-12Rbeta2- and IL-12p35-deficient mice show remarkable increases in disease susceptibility, suggesting divergent roles of IL-23 and IL-12 in modulating inflammatory processes. IL-23 induces IL-17, which mediates inflammation and tissue remodeling, but the role of IL-12 in this respect remains unidentified. We investigated the roles of exogenous (recombinant) and endogenous (macrophage-derived) IL-12 and IL-23, on IL-17-induction in human T-cells. IL-23 enhanced IL-17 secretion, as did IL-2, IL-15, IL-18 and IL-21. In contrast, IL-12 mediated specific inhibition of IL-17 production. These data support the role of IL-23 in inflammation through stimulating IL-17 production by T lymphocytes, and importantly indicate a novel regulatory function for IL-12 by specifically suppressing IL-17 secretion. These data therefore extend previous reports that had indicated unique functions for IL-23 and IL-12 due to distinct receptor expression and signal transduction complexes, and provide novel insights into the regulation of immunity, inflammation and immunopathology.

Phenotypic and functional profiling of human proinflammatory type-1 and anti-inflammatory type-2 macrophages in response to microbial antigens and IFN-gamma- and CD40L-mediated costimulation.

Macrophages (Mphi) comprise a heterogeneous population of cells with various immune and homeostatic functions. Recently, we have described type-1 and type-2 human monocyte-derived Mphi subsets. Although both support outgrowth of intracellular mycobacteria, Mphi-1 secretes interleukin (IL)-23/IL-12 and supports T helper cell type 1 (Th1) responses, whereas Mphi-2 fails to produce IL-23/IL-12, predominantly secretes IL-10, and inhibits Th1 function. Here, we further describe the phenotypic and functional profiles of Mphi-1 and Mphi-2 in response to microbial antigens and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and CD40L as costimulatory T cell back-talk signals. Activated IL-23(+)/IL-12(+) Mphi-1 secreted IL-1beta, IL-18, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), as well as IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IFN-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), Mphi inflammatory protein-1beta (MIP-1beta), regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES), Mphi-derived chemokine (MDC), and (low levels of) pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), corroborating their proinflammatory function. Regardless of the stimulus, Mphi-2 maintained their IL-10(+) signature cytokine profile and produced no or relatively low levels of IL-12p40, IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MDC, or TARC. It is remarkable that Mphi-2 secreted high levels of IL-8, MCP-1, IP-10, MIP-1beta, and RANTES, suggesting an active role for these cells in regulating cellular immunity and homeostasis. Mphi-1 and Mphi-2 expressed similar levels of Toll-like receptor and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin as microbial pattern recognition receptors. Mphi-2, unlike Mphi-1 but like other nonclassical Mphi described previously, expressed CD163 and down-modulated human leukocyte antigen and costimulatory molecules specifically upon activation. These findings demonstrate how Mphi-1/Mphi-2 polarization can differentially skew the host response toward pro- or anti-inflammatory immune responses, respectively. This is likely to be relevant for host-pathogen interactions in chronic bacterial infections and provides a model for dissecting pro- and anti-inflammatory cascades.

NOD2 and toll-like receptors are nonredundant recognition systems of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Recognition of M. tuberculosis by pattern recognition receptors is crucial for activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. In the present study, we demonstrate that nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are two nonredundant recognition mechanisms of M. tuberculosis. CHO cell lines transfected with human TLR2 or TLR4 were responsive to M. tuberculosis. TLR2 knock-out mice displayed more than 50% defective cytokine production after stimulation with mycobacteria, whereas TLR4-defective mice also released 30% less cytokines compared to controls. Similarly, HEK293T cells transfected with NOD2 responded to stimulation with M. tuberculosis. The important role of NOD2 for the recognition of M. tuberculosis was demonstrated in mononuclear cells of individuals homozygous for the 3020insC NOD2 mutation, who showed an 80% defective cytokine response after stimulation with M. tuberculosis. Finally, the mycobacterial TLR2 ligand 19-kDa lipoprotein and the NOD2 ligand muramyl dipeptide synergized for the induction of cytokines, and this synergism was lost in cells defective in either TLR2 or NOD2. Together, these results demonstrate that NOD2 and TLR pathways are nonredundant recognition mechanisms of M. tuberculosis that synergize for the induction of proinflammatory cytokines.

3-D Structure of multilaminar lysosomes in antigen presenting cells reveals trapping of MHC II on the internal membranes.

In late endosomes and lysosomes of antigen presenting cells major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules bind peptides from degraded internalized pathogens. These compartments are called MHC class II compartments (MIICs), and from here peptide-loaded MHC II is transported to the cell surface for presentation to helper T-lymphocytes to generate an immune response. Recent studies from our group in mouse dendritic cells indicate that the MHC class II on internal vesicles of multivesicular late endosomes or multivesicular bodies is the main source of MHC II at the plasma membrane. We showed that dendritic cell activation triggers a back fusion mechanism whereby MHC II from the inner membranes is delivered to the multivesicular bodies' outer membrane. Another type of MIIC in B-lymphocytes and dendritic cells is more related to lysosomes and often appears as a multilaminar organelle with abundant MHC II-enriched internal membrane sheets. These multilaminar lysosomes have a functioning peptide-loading machinery, but to date it is not clear whether peptide-loaded MHC II molecules from the internal membranes can make their way to the cell surface and contribute to T cell activation. To obtain detailed information on the membrane organization of multilaminar lysosomes and investigate possible escape routes from the lumen of this organelle, we performed electron tomography on cryo-immobilized B-lymphocytes and dendritic cells. Our high-resolution 3-D reconstructions of multilaminar lysosomes indicate that their membranes are organized in such a way that MHC class II may be trapped on the inner membranes, without the possibility to escape to the cell surface.

Human IL-23-producing type 1 macrophages promote but IL-10-producing type 2 macrophages subvert immunity to (myco)bacteria.

Macrophages (Mphi) play a central role as effector cells in immunity to intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium. Paradoxically, they also provide a habitat for intracellular bacterial survival. This paradoxical role of Mphi remains poorly understood. Here we report that this dual role may emanate from the functional plasticity of Mphi: Whereas Mphi-1 polarized in the presence of granulocyte-Mphi colony-stimulating factor promoted type 1 immunity, Mphi-2 polarized with Mphi colony-stimulating factor subverted type 1 immunity and thus may promote immune escape and chronic infection. Importantly, Mphi-1 secreted high levels of IL-23 (p40/p19) but no IL-12 (p40/p35) after (myco)bacterial activation. In contrast, activated Mphi-2 produced neither IL-23 nor IL-12 but predominantly secreted IL-10. Mphi-1 required IFN-gamma as a secondary signal to induce IL-12p35 gene transcription and IL-12 secretion. Activated dendritic cells produced both IL-12 and IL-23, but unlike Mphi-1 they slightly reduced their IL-23 secretion after addition of IFN-gamma. Binding, uptake, and outgrowth of a mycobacterial reporter strain was supported by both Mphi subsets, but more efficiently by Mphi-2 than Mphi-1. Whereas Mphi-1 efficiently stimulated type 1 helper cells, Mphi-2 only poorly supported type 1 helper function. Accordingly, activated Mphi-2 but not Mphi-1 down-modulated their antigen-presenting and costimulatory molecules (HLA-DR, CD86, and CD40). These findings indicate that (i) Mphi-1 and Mphi-2 play opposing roles in cellular immunity and (ii) IL-23 rather than IL-12 is the primary type 1 cytokine produced by activated proinflammatory Mphi-1. Mphi heterogeneity thus may be an important determinant of immunity and disease outcome in intracellular bacterial infection.

IL-12 receptor deficiency revisited: IL-23-mediated signaling is also impaired in human genetic IL-12 receptor beta1 deficiency.

IFN-gamma and IL-12 are crucial cytokines for cell-mediated immunity against intracellular pathogens. We have previously shown that human IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency leads to impaired IL-12 responsiveness and unusual susceptibility to infections due to mycobacteria and salmonellae. IL-23 is a cytokine with functions that partially overlap with those of IL-12. IL-23 consists of IL-12p40 and a novel p19 protein, and binds to a receptor complex comprising IL-12Rbeta1 and IL-23R. Thus, IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency may impair both IL-12- and IL-23 signaling, and both may contribute to the immunological phenotypes. To examine whether IL-12Rbeta1 is essential for IL-23 signaling in human T cells, we have studied IL-23 responsiveness of four IL-12Rbeta1-deficient individuals. Whereas IL-23 promoted IFN-gamma production by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in controls, IL-12Rbeta1-deficient T cells lacked IL-23-induced IFN-gamma secretion, but responded normally to IL-2, IL-4, IL-15 and IL-18. We also show that induction of IFN-gamma production by IL-23 depends upon TCR-ligation and is enhanced by CD28-costimulation. Furthermore, IL-23 cooperates with IL-12 and IL-18 in promoting IFN-gamma production in controls, but not in patients. We conclude that IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency impairs IL-12- and IL-23-dependent signaling in human T cells. The syndrome caused by IL-12Rbeta1-deficiency thus needs to be reinterpreted as resulting from defective IL-12-as well as IL-23-mediated immunity.