TAP-Dependent and -Independent Peptide Import into Dendritic Cell Phagosomes.

Cross-presentation of phagocytosed Ags by MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules is thought to involve transport of cytosolic peptides into dendritic cell phagosomes, mediated by TAP transporters recruited from the endoplasmic reticulum. However, because pure and tightly sealed phagosomes are difficult to obtain, direct evidence for peptide transport into phagosomes has remained limited. Moreover, the parameters determining peptide uptake by, and survival in, phagosomes remain little characterized. In this study, we monitored peptide import into phagosomes by flow cytometry using two types of fluorescent reporter peptides, one of which directly bound to intraphagosomal beads. We observed that a peptide with high TAP affinity is imported into phagosomes in a TAP- and ATP-dependent manner, as expected. However, surprisingly, import of the OVA peptide SIINFEKL, a CD8+ T cell epitope frequently used to study cross-presentation, is ATP-dependent but substantially TAP-independent. The half-life of both reporter peptides is shortened by enhanced phagosome maturation triggered by TLR signaling. Conversely, formation of complexes with MHC-I molecules enhances peptide accumulation in phagosomes. Collectively, these results confirm that TAP can import peptides into phagosomes, but they suggest that some peptides, including the popular SIINFEKL, can enter phagosomes also via a second unknown energy-dependent mechanism. Therefore, the frequently reported TAP dependence of cross-presentation of phagocytosed OVA may principally reflect a requirement for recycling MHC-I molecules rather than SIINFEKL import into phagosomes via TAP.

Central nervous system mast cells in peripheral inflammatory nociception.

BACKGROUND: Functional aspects of mast cell-neuronal interactions remain poorly understood. Mast cell activation and degranulation can result in the release of powerful pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine and cytokines. Cerebral dural mast cells have been proposed to modulate meningeal nociceptor activity and be involved in migraine pathophysiology. Little is known about the functional role of spinal cord dural mast cells. In this study, we examine their potential involvement in nociception and synaptic plasticity in superficial spinal dorsal horn. Changes of lower spinal cord dura mast cells and their contribution to hyperalgesia are examined in animal models of peripheral neurogenic and non-neurogenic inflammation. RESULTS: Spinal application of supernatant from activated cultured mast cells induces significant mechanical hyperalgesia and long-term potentiation (LTP) at spinal synapses of C-fibers. Lumbar, thoracic and thalamic preparations are then examined for mast cell number and degranulation status after intraplantar capsaicin and carrageenan. Intradermal capsaicin induces a significant percent increase of lumbar dural mast cells at 3 hours post-administration. Peripheral carrageenan in female rats significantly increases mast cell density in the lumbar dura, but not in thoracic dura or thalamus. Intrathecal administration of the mast cell stabilizer sodium cromoglycate or the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitor BAY-613606 reduce the increased percent degranulation and degranulated cell density of lumbar dural mast cells after capsaicin and carrageenan respectively, without affecting hyperalgesia. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that lumbar dural mast cells may be sufficient but are not necessary for capsaicin or carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia.

The protein tyrosine kinase Tec regulates mast cell function.

Mast cells play crucial roles in a variety of normal and pathophysiological processes and their activation has to be tightly controlled. Here, we demonstrate that the protein tyrosine kinase Tec is a crucial regulator of murine mast cell function. Tec was activated upon Fc epsilon RI stimulation of BM-derived mast cells (BMMC). The release of histamine in the absence of Tec was normal in vitro and in vivo; however, leukotriene C(4) levels were reduced in Tec(-) (/) (-) BMMC. Furthermore, the production of IL-4 was severely impaired, and GM-CSF, TNF-alpha and IL-13 levels were also diminished. Finally, a comparison of WT, Tec(-) (/) (-), Btk(-) (/) (-) and Tec(-) (/) (-)Btk(-) (/) (-) BMMC revealed a negative role for Btk in the regulation of IL-4 production, while for the efficient production of TNF-alpha, IL-13 and GM-CSF, both Tec and Btk were required. Our results demonstrate a crucial role for Tec in mast cells, which is partially different to the function of the well-characterized family member Btk.

The role of MHC class I recycling and Arf6 in cross-presentation by murine dendritic cells.

Cross-presentation by MHC class I molecules (MHC-I) is critical for priming of cytotoxic T cells. Peptides derived from cross-presented antigens can be loaded on MHC-I in the endoplasmic reticulum and in endocytic or phagocytic compartments of murine DCs. However, the origin of MHC-I in the latter compartments is poorly understood. Recently, Rab22-dependent MHC-I recycling through a Rab11+ compartment has been suggested to be implicated in cross-presentation. We have examined the existence of MHC-I recycling and the role of Arf6, described to regulate recycling in nonprofessional antigen presenting cells, in murine DCs. We confirm folded MHC-I accumulation in a juxtanuclear Rab11+ compartment and partially localize Arf6 to this compartment. MHC-I undergo fast recycling, however, both folded and unfolded internalized MHC-I fail to recycle to the Rab11+Arf6+ compartment. Therefore, the source of MHC-I molecules in DC endocytic compartments remains to be identified. Functionally, depletion of Arf6 compromises cross-presentation of immune complexes but not of soluble, phagocytosed or mannose receptor-targeted antigen, suggesting a role of Fc receptor-regulated Arf6 trafficking in cross-presentation of immune complexes.

Innate Immune Signals Induce Anterograde Endosome Transport Promoting MHC Class I Cross-Presentation.

Both cross-presentation of antigens by dendritic cells, a key pathway triggering T cell immunity and immune tolerance, and survival of several pathogens residing in intracellular vacuoles are intimately linked to delayed maturation of vesicles containing internalized antigens and microbes. However, how early endosome or phagosome identity is maintained is incompletely understood. We show that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Fc receptor ligation induces interaction of the GTPase Rab14 with the kinesin KIF16b mediating plus-end-directed microtubule transport of endosomes. As a result, Rab14 recruitment to phagosomes delays their maturation and killing of an internalized pathogen. Enhancing anterograde transport by overexpressing Rab14, promoting the GTP-bound Rab14 state, or inhibiting retrograde transport upregulates cross-presentation. Conversely, reducing Rab14 expression, destabilizing Rab14 endosomes, and inhibiting anterograde microtubule transport by Kif16b knockdown compromise cross-presentation. Therefore, regulation of early endosome trafficking by innate immune signals is a critical parameter in cross-presentation by dendritic cells.

The transcription factor MAZR preferentially acts as a transcriptional repressor in mast cells and plays a minor role in the regulation of effector functions in response to FcεRI stimulation.

Mast cells are key players in type I hypersensitivity reactions in humans and mice and their activity has to be tightly controlled. Previous studies implicated the transcription factor MAZR in the regulation of mast cell function. To study the role of MAZR in mast cells, we generated a conditional Mazr allele and crossed Mazr (F/F) mice with the Vav-iCre deleter strain, which is active in all hematopoietic cells. MAZR-null BM-derived mast cells (BMMC) were phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type BMMCs, although the numbers of IL-3 generated Mazr (F/F) Vav-iCre BMMCs were reduced in comparison to Mazr (F/F) BMMCs, showing that MAZR is required for the efficient generation of BMMC in vitro. A gene expression analysis revealed that MAZR-deficiency resulted in the dysregulation of 128 genes, with more genes up- than down-regulated in the absence of MAZR, indicating that MAZR acts as a transcriptional repressor in mast cells. Among the up-regulated genes were the chemokines Ccl5, Cxcl10, Cxcl12, the chemokine receptor Ccr5 and the cytokine IL18, suggesting an immunoregulatory role for MAZR in mast cells. Enforced expression of MAZR in mature Mazr-deficient BMMCs rescued the altered expression pattern of some genes tested, suggesting direct regulation of these genes by MAZR. Upon FcεRI stimulation, Mazr expression was transiently down-regulated in BMMCs. However, early and late effector functions in response to FcεRI-mediated stimulation were not impaired in the absence of MAZR, with the exception of IL-6, which was slightly decreased. Taken together, out data indicate that MAZR preferentially acts as a transcriptional repressor in mast cells, however MAZR plays only a minor role in the transcriptional networks that regulate early and late effector functions in mast cells in response to FcεRI stimulation.

Tec family kinases: regulation of FcεRI-mediated mast-cell activation.

Mast cells express the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI) and are key players in type I hypersensitivity reactions. They are critically involved in the development of allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma and systemic anaphylaxis, however, they also regulate normal physiological processes that link innate and adaptive immune responses. Thus, their activation has to be tightly controlled. One group of signaling molecules that are activated upon FcεRI stimulation is formed by Tec family kinases, and three members of this kinase family (Btk, Itk and Tec) are expressed in mast cells. Many studies have revealed important functions of Tec kinases in signaling pathways downstream of the antigen receptors in lymphocytes. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the function of Tec family kinases in FcεRI-mediated signaling pathways in mast cell.