A synthetic analog of alpha-galactosylceramide induces macrophage activation via the TLR4-signaling pathways.
Biochem Pharmacol
; 73(12): 1957-70, 2007 Jun 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17445776
ABSTRACT
Alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), a bioactive glycolipid isolated from the marine sponge Agelas mauritianus, is a potent immunomodulator with therapeutic potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer. The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), one of the promising molecular targets for immune-modulating drugs, is commonly expressed in innate immune cells especially macrophages and dendritic cells. Currently, whether alpha-GalCer can activate TLR4 signaling pathways remains unreported. In this study, we examined the effects of alpha-GalCer and its various structural analogs, CCL-1 approximately 47, on TLR4 activation. We found that one alpha-GalCer analog (CCL-34), but not alpha-GalCer itself, strongly stimulated NF-kappaB activity in RAW 264.7 cells. CCL-34 activated NF-kappaB in a TLR4-dependent manner and stimulated TNF-alpha production in bone marrow cells of TLR4-functional C3H/HeN mice but not in those of TLR4-defective C3H/HeJ mice. Furthermore, CCL-34 treatment stimulated NF-kappaB activation and IL-8 production in a 293 cell line constitutively expressing human TLR4, MD-2 and CD14. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with CCL-34 also activated TLR4-downstream mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK, JNK and p38), induced expression of TLR4-downstream genes (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta and iNOS) and promoted production of cytokines characteristic of activated macrophages. CCL-34-treated RAW 264.7 cells acquired a distinct morphology similar to that of LPS-activated macrophages and exhibited higher phagocytotic activity. Moreover, treatment with a TLR4-neutalizing antibody inhibited the CCL-34-induced morphological alteration. In summary, we identify a novel synthetic compound CCL-34 that can activate macrophages via TLR4-dependent signaling pathways. Our results suggest that CCL-34 is an immune modulator and may serve as a potential drug lead for immunotherapy.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transdução de Sinais
/
Macrófagos Peritoneais
/
Receptor 4 Toll-Like
/
Galactosilceramidas
/
Ativação de Macrófagos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biochem Pharmacol
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Taiwan