ABSTRACT
Fat-associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs) are a type of lymphoid tissue associated with visceral fat. Here we found that the distribution of FALCs was heterogeneous, with the pericardium containing large numbers of these clusters. FALCs contributed to the retention of B-1 cells in the peritoneal cavity through high expression of the chemokine CXCL13, and they supported B cell proliferation and germinal center differentiation during peritoneal immunological challenges. FALC formation was induced by inflammation, which triggered the recruitment of myeloid cells that expressed tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) necessary for signaling via the TNF receptors in stromal cells. Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) restricted by the antigen-presenting molecule CD1d were likewise required for the inducible formation of FALCs. Thus, FALCs supported and coordinated the activation of innate B cells and T cells during serosal immune responses.
Subject(s)
Inflammation/immunology , Intra-Abdominal Fat/immunology , Lymphocytes/immunology , Lymphoid Tissue/immunology , Animals , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Chemokine CXCL13/genetics , Chemokine CXCL13/immunology , Chemokine CXCL13/metabolism , Flow Cytometry , Gene Expression/immunology , Inflammation/genetics , Inflammation/metabolism , Intra-Abdominal Fat/metabolism , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Lymphoid Tissue/cytology , Lymphoid Tissue/metabolism , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Transgenic , Microscopy, Confocal , Myeloid Cells/immunology , Myeloid Cells/metabolism , Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology , Natural Killer T-Cells/metabolism , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/immunology , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Stromal Cells/immunology , Stromal Cells/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolismABSTRACT
Neutrophils are the first and most numerous cells to arrive at the site of an inflammatory insult and are among the first to die. We previously reported that alpha defensins, released from apoptotic human neutrophils, augmented the antimicrobial capacity of macrophages while also inhibiting the biosynthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. In vivo, alpha defensin administration protected mice from inflammation, induced by thioglychollate-induced peritonitis or following infection withSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium. We have now dissected the antiinflammatory mechanism of action of the most abundant neutrophil alpha defensin, Human Neutrophil Peptide 1 (HNP1). Herein we show that HNP1 enters macrophages and inhibits protein translation without inducing the unfolded-protein response or affecting mRNA stability. In a cell-free in vitro translation system, HNP1 powerfully inhibited both cap-dependent and cap-independent mRNA translation while maintaining mRNA polysomal association. This is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of a peptide released from one cell type (neutrophils) directly regulating mRNA translation in another (macrophages). By preventing protein translation, HNP1 functions as a "molecular brake" on macrophage-driven inflammation, ensuring both pathogen clearance and the resolution of inflammation with minimal bystander tissue damage.
Subject(s)
Macrophages/metabolism , Protein Biosynthesis , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Salmonella Infections/metabolism , Salmonella typhimurium , alpha-Defensins/metabolism , Animals , Humans , Macrophages/pathology , Mice , Salmonella Infections/pathology , alpha-Defensins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Human ß-defensin 3 (hBD3) is a cationic antimicrobial peptide with potent bactericidal activity in vitro. HBD3 is produced in response to pathogen challenge and can modulate immune responses. The amplified recognition of self-DNA by human plasmacytoid dendritic cells has been previously reported, but we show here that hBD3 preferentially enhances the response to bacterial DNA in mouse Flt-3 induced dendritic cells (FLDCs) and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We show the effect is mediated through TLR9 and although hBD3 significantly increases the cellular uptake of both E. coli and self-DNA in mouse FLDCs, only the response to bacterial DNA is enhanced. Liposome transfection also increases uptake of bacterial DNA and amplifies the TLR9-dependent response. In contrast to hBD3, lipofection of self-DNA enhances inflammatory signaling, but the response is predominantly TLR9-independent. Together, these data show that hBD3 has a role in the innate immune-mediated response to pathogen DNA, increasing inflammatory signaling and promoting activation of the adaptive immune system via antigen presenting cells including dendritic cells. Therefore, our data identify an additional immunomodulatory role for this copy-number variable defensin, of relevance to host defence against infection and indicate a potential for the inclusion of HBD3 in pathogen DNA-based vaccines.
Subject(s)
Dendritic Cells/immunology , Escherichia coli/immunology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Toll-Like Receptor 9/metabolism , beta-Defensins/metabolism , Animals , Cells, Cultured , DNA, Bacterial/immunology , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Immunity, Innate , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Toll-Like Receptor 9/geneticsABSTRACT
Neutrophils act as a first line of defense against bacterial and fungal infections, but they are also important effectors of acute and chronic inflammation. Genome-wide association studies have established that the gene encoding the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) makes an important contribution to susceptibility to autoimmune disease, notably rheumatoid arthritis. Although PTPN22 is most highly expressed in neutrophils, its function in these cells remains poorly characterized. We show in this article that neutrophil effector functions, including adhesion, production of reactive oxygen species, and degranulation induced by immobilized immune complexes, were reduced in Ptpn22-/- neutrophils. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Lyn and Syk was altered in Ptpn22-/- neutrophils. On stimulation with immobilized immune complexes, Ptpn22-/- neutrophils manifested reduced activation of key signaling intermediates. Ptpn22-/- mice were protected from immune complex-mediated arthritis, induced by the transfer of arthritogenic serum. In contrast, in vivo neutrophil recruitment following thioglycollate-induced peritonitis and in vitro chemotaxis were not affected by lack of PTPN22. Our data suggest an important role for PTPN22-dependent dephosphorylation events, which are required to enable full FcγR-induced activation, pointing to an important role for this molecule in neutrophil function.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Experimental/immunology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics , Neutrophils/immunology , Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 22/metabolism , Animals , Antigen-Antibody Complex , Arthritis, Experimental/genetics , Cell Adhesion , Cell Degranulation , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Neutrophil Activation , Phosphorylation , Polymorphism, Genetic , Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 22/genetics , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Receptors, IgG/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Syk Kinase/metabolism , src-Family Kinases/metabolismABSTRACT
B cells are able to regulate immune responses through the secretion of IL-10 and other inhibitory cytokines, though no transcription factor that can define 'regulatory B cells' as a separate lineage has yet been found. Instead it is likely that this function arises as a result of the immune context in which B cells find themselves and the stimuli they perceive. However, some B cells found within the B1a and the marginal zone subsets have a greater propensity to produce IL-10 than others. What are the natural stimuli for these cells to induce immune regulation? We discuss the role that the recognition of autoantigens exposed by apoptotic cells plays in stimulating IL-10 production in mouse and human studies. This mechanism involves the recognition and uptake of self-antigens by autoreactive BCRs, for delivery to endocytic compartments, where apoptosis-derived DNA binds to TLR9, driving IL-10 production. These 'natural' regulatory B cells represent a way of maintaining tolerance to self. We discuss how this may operate in inflammatory lesions where there is an excess of apoptotic leukocytes and how this impacts on our understanding of autoimmune disease.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology , B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Cell Lineage/immunology , Immune Tolerance , Interleukin-10/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Animals , Apoptosis/genetics , Apoptosis/immunology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Autoantigens/genetics , Autoantigens/immunology , B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Gene Expression Regulation/immunology , Humans , Interleukin-10/genetics , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/pathology , Mice , Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics , Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/immunology , Signal Transduction , Toll-Like Receptor 9/genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 9/immunologyABSTRACT
Helminth parasites remain one of the most common causes of infections worldwide, yet little is still known about the immune signaling pathways that control their expulsion. C57BL/6 mice are chronically susceptible to infection with the gastrointestinal helminth parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus. In this article, we report that C57BL/6 mice lacking the adapter protein MyD88, which mediates signaling by TLRs and IL-1 family members, showed enhanced immunity to H. polygyrus infection. Alongside increased parasite expulsion, MyD88-deficient mice showed heightened IL-4 and IL-17A production from mesenteric lymph node CD4(+) cells. In addition, MyD88(-/-) mice developed substantial numbers of intestinal granulomas around the site of infection, which were not seen in MyD88-sufficient C57BL/6 mice, nor when signaling through the adapter protein TRIF (TIR domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-ß adapter protein) was also ablated. Mice deficient solely in TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, or TLR9 did not show enhanced parasite expulsion, suggesting that these TLRs signal redundantly to maintain H. polygyrus susceptibility in wild-type mice. To further investigate signaling pathways that are MyD88 dependent, we infected IL-1R1(-/-) mice with H. polygyrus. This genotype displayed heightened granuloma numbers compared with wild-type mice, but without increased parasite expulsion. Thus, the IL-1R-MyD88 pathway is implicated in inhibiting granuloma formation; however, protective immunity in MyD88-deficient mice appears to be granuloma independent. Like IL-1R1(-/-) and MyD88(-/-) mice, animals lacking signaling through the type 1 IFN receptor (i.e., IFNAR1(-/-)) also developed intestinal granulomas. Hence, IL-1R1, MyD88, and type 1 IFN receptor signaling may provide pathways to impede granuloma formation in vivo, but additional MyD88-mediated signals are associated with inhibition of protective immunity in susceptible C57BL/6 mice.
Subject(s)
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/genetics , Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/immunology , Nematospiroides dubius/immunology , Strongylida Infections/immunology , Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport/genetics , Animals , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Granuloma/genetics , Granuloma/immunology , Interleukin-17/biosynthesis , Interleukin-4/biosynthesis , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/genetics , Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I/genetics , Signal Transduction/genetics , Signal Transduction/immunology , Strongylida Infections/parasitology , Toll-Like Receptor 2/genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 5/genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 9/geneticsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are associated with local bone erosions and systemic bone loss, mediated by increased osteoclastic activity. The receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF) κB ligand (RANKL) plays a key role in mediating inflammation-induced bone loss, whereas tumour necrosis factor (TNF) plays a central role in the inflammatory process. Here we tested whether a recently identified class of small molecule inhibitors of RANKL signalling (ABD compounds) also affect TNF signalling and whether these compounds inhibit inflammation in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: The inhibitory effects of the ABD compounds on TNF-induced signalling were tested in mouse macrophage cultures by western blotting and in an NFκB luciferase-reporter cell line. The anti-inflammatory effects of the compounds were tested in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis model of rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: The ABD compounds ABD328 and ABD345 both inhibited TNF-induced activation of the NFκB pathway and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Jun kinase (JNK) mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). When tested in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis model of rheumatoid arthritis, the compounds suppressed inflammatory arthritis, inhibited joint destruction and prevented systemic bone loss. Furthermore, one of the compounds (ABD328) showed oral activity. CONCLUSIONS: Here we describe a novel class of small molecule compounds that inhibit both RANKL- and TNF-induced NFκB and MAPK signalling in osteoclasts and macrophages, and inflammation and bone destruction in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. These novel compounds therefore represent a promising new class of treatments for inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism , Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology , Bone Resorption/metabolism , Hexanones/pharmacology , MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects , NF-kappa B/drug effects , RANK Ligand/drug effects , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Tumor Necrosis Factors/metabolism , Animals , Arthritis, Experimental/immunology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology , Bone Resorption/immunology , MAP Kinase Signaling System/immunology , Mice , NF-kappa B/immunology , NF-kappa B/metabolism , RANK Ligand/immunology , RANK Ligand/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factors/immunologyABSTRACT
Long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) that maintain humoral immunity to previously encountered Ags occupy a compartment in the bone marrow (BM). The rules and mechanisms by which cells enter (and leave) this compartment are poorly understood. We looked at what happens to the LLPC compartment and to plasma cell lifespan in general, in situations in which Ag stimulation and/or inflammation persist. We find that chronic Ag supply causes the generation of short-lived plasma cells in the local lymphoid organ, at the expense of any LLPC production. Furthermore, we find that inflammation caused by infection (mediated via TNF-α) causes a dramatic mobilization of LLPCs from the BM, with a concomitant reduction in circulating Ab levels against previously immunized Ags. These data are discussed in the context of the capacity of the BM LLPC compartment and competition for entry to it.
Subject(s)
Homeostasis/immunology , Immunity, Humoral/immunology , Inflammation/immunology , Plasma Cells/immunology , Animals , Antigens/immunology , Bone Marrow/immunology , Chemotaxis, Leukocyte/immunology , Flow Cytometry , Lymphoid Tissue/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, KnockoutABSTRACT
Intracellular protein complexes containing nucleic acids are common targets of autoantibodies in many autoimmune diseases. Central tolerance to these antigens is incomplete, yet nucleosomal DNA is expressed on the surface of cells dying by apoptosis. It is commonly believed that autoimmunity is prevented by the rapid uptake of apoptotic cells (ACs) by neighbors or professional phagocytes to which they deliver anti-inflammatory signals. Self-reactive, innate-like B cells contact and are selected by intracellular antigens expressed on ACs; however, how self-tolerance is maintained is not well understood. Here we report that IL-10 production by B cells, stimulated by contact with ACs, results from the engagement of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) within the B cell after recognition of DNA-containing complexes on the surface of ACs. Until now, TLR9 ligation has been considered an inflammatory signal, but we have confirmed a hitherto unexpected immunoregulatory role by demonstrating the absence of the protective effect of ACs during experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) in TLR9-deficient mice. Human circulating CD27(+) B cells also respond to DNA-bearing ACs, but not to DNase-treated cells, by secreting IL-10. Chronic autoimmune disease may arise if this tolerance mechanism is not reimposed after episodes of inflammation, or if the regulatory B-cell response is subverted.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/cytology , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cell Communication/immunology , DNA/immunology , Immune Tolerance/immunology , Toll-Like Receptor 9/immunology , Animals , Deoxyribonucleases/metabolism , Humans , Immunosuppression Therapy , Interleukin-10/biosynthesis , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Mice , Muramidase/immunology , Signal Transduction/immunology , Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7/immunologyABSTRACT
Apoptosis is essential for clearance of potentially injurious inflammatory cells and subsequent efficient resolution of inflammation. Here we report that human neutrophils contain functionally active cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and that structurally diverse CDK inhibitors induce caspase-dependent apoptosis and override powerful anti-apoptosis signals from survival factors such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We show that the CDK inhibitor R-roscovitine (Seliciclib or CYC202) markedly enhances resolution of established neutrophil-dependent inflammation in carrageenan-elicited acute pleurisy, bleomycin-induced lung injury, and passively induced arthritis in mice. In the pleurisy model, the caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk prevents R-roscovitine-enhanced resolution of inflammation, indicating that this CDK inhibitor augments inflammatory cell apoptosis. We also provide evidence that R-roscovitine promotes apoptosis by reducing concentrations of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. Thus, CDK inhibitors enhance the resolution of established inflammation by promoting apoptosis of inflammatory cells, thereby demonstrating a hitherto unrecognized potential for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/physiology , Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Inflammation/drug therapy , Neutrophils/physiology , Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones/pharmacology , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Azepines/pharmacology , Carrageenan , Caspase 3/physiology , Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/pharmacology , Humans , Male , Mice , Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein , Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis , Neutrophils/drug effects , Pleurisy/chemically induced , Pleurisy/drug therapy , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis , Purines/pharmacology , Pyrroles/pharmacology , RoscovitineABSTRACT
B cells are key pathogenic drivers of chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is limited understanding of the relationship between synovial B cell subsets and pathogenic antibody secreting cells (ASCs). This knowledge is crucial for the development of more targeted B-cell depleting therapies. While CD11c+ double-negative 2 (DN2) B cells have been suggested as an ASC precursor in lupus, to date there is no proven link between the two subsets in RA. We have used both single-cell gene expression and BCR sequencing to study synovial B cells from patients with established RA, in addition to flow cytometry of circulating B cells. To better understand the differentiation patterns within the diseased tissue, a combination of RNA-based trajectory inference and clonal lineage analysis of BCR relationships were used. Both forms of analysis indicated that DN2 B cells serve as a major precursors to synovial ASCs. This study advances our understanding of B cells in RA and reveals the origin of pathogenic ASCs in the RA synovium. Given the significant role of DN2 B cells as a progenitor to pathogenic B cells in RA, it is important to conduct additional research to investigate the origins of DN2 B cells in RA and explore their potential as therapeutic targets in place of the less specific pan-B cells depletion therapies currently in use.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid , B-Lymphocyte Subsets , Humans , Plasma Cells , B-Lymphocytes , Antibody-Producing CellsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To establish the role and effect of glucocorticoids and the endogenous annexin A1 (AnxA1) pathway in inflammatory arthritis. METHODS: Ankle joint mRNA and protein expression of AnxA1 and its receptors were analysed in naive and arthritic mice by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Inflammatory arthritis was induced with the K/BxN arthritogenic serum in AnxA1(+/+) and AnxA1(-/-) mice; in some experiments, animals were treated with dexamethasone (Dex) or with human recombinant AnxA1 or a protease-resistant mutant (termed SuperAnxA1). Readouts were arthritic score, disease incidence, paw oedema and histopathology, together with pro-inflammatory gene expression. RESULTS: All elements of the AnxA1 pathway could be detected in naive joints, with augmentation during ongoing disease, due to the infiltration of immune cells. No difference in arthritis intensity of profile could be observed between AnxA1(+/+) and AnxA1(-/-) mice. Treatment of mice with Dex (10 µg intraperitoneally daily from day 2) afforded potent antiarthritic effects highly attenuated in the knockouts: macroscopic changes were mirrored by histopathological findings and pro-inflammatory gene (eg, Nos2) expression. Presence of proteinase 3 mRNA in the arthritic joints led the authors to test AnxA1 and the mutant SuperAnxA1 (1 µg intraperitoneally daily in both cases from day 2), with the latter one being able to accelerate the resolving phase of the disease. CONCLUSION: AnxA1 is an endogenous determinant for the therapeutic efficacy of Dex in inflammatory arthritis. Such an effect can be partially mimicked by application of SuperAnxA1 which may represent the starting point for novel antiarthritic therapeutic strategies.
Subject(s)
Annexin A1/physiology , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Dexamethasone/therapeutic use , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Animals , Annexin A1/chemistry , Annexin A1/pharmacology , Arthritis, Experimental/genetics , Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Drug Therapy, Combination , Edema/drug therapy , Edema/pathology , Gene Expression/drug effects , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Mutant Proteins/chemistry , Mutant Proteins/pharmacology , Recombinant Proteins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
The human formyl-peptide receptor (FPR)-2 is a G protein-coupled receptor that transduces signals from lipoxin A(4), annexin A1, and serum amyloid A (SAA) to regulate inflammation. In this study, we report the creation of a novel mouse colony in which the murine FprL1 FPR2 homologue, Fpr2, has been deleted and describe its use to explore the biology of this receptor. Deletion of murine fpr2 was verified by Southern blot analysis and PCR, and the functional absence of the G protein-coupled receptor was confirmed by radioligand binding assays. In vitro, Fpr2(-/-) macrophages had a diminished response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe itself and did not respond to SAA-induced chemotaxis. ERK phosphorylation triggered by SAA was unchanged, but that induced by the annexin A1-derived peptide Ac2-26 or other Fpr2 ligands, such as W-peptide and compound 43, was attenuated markedly. In vivo, the antimigratory properties of compound 43, lipoxin A(4), annexin A1, and dexamethasone were reduced notably in Fpr2(-/-) mice compared with those in wild-type littermates. In contrast, SAA stimulated neutrophil recruitment, but the promigratory effect was lost following Fpr2 deletion. Inflammation was more marked in Fpr2(-/-) mice, with a pronounced increase in cell adherence and emigration in the mesenteric microcirculation after an ischemia-reperfusion insult and an augmented acute response to carrageenan-induced paw edema, compared with that in wild-type controls. Finally, Fpr2(-/-) mice exhibited higher sensitivity to arthrogenic serum and were completely unable to resolve this chronic pathology. We conclude that Fpr2 is an anti-inflammatory receptor that serves varied regulatory functions during the host defense response. These data support the development of Fpr2 agonists as novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
Subject(s)
Inflammation/metabolism , Leukocytes/metabolism , Ligands , Receptors, Formyl Peptide/physiology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Annexin A1/metabolism , Annexin A1/pharmacology , Carrageenan , Chemotaxis/drug effects , Edema/chemically induced , Edema/genetics , Edema/metabolism , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism , Female , Flow Cytometry , Immunoblotting , Inflammation/chemically induced , Inflammation/genetics , Leukocytes/cytology , Lipoxins/metabolism , Lipoxins/pharmacology , Macrophages/cytology , Macrophages/metabolism , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred Strains , Mice, Knockout , Molecular Sequence Data , N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine/analogs & derivatives , N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine/metabolism , N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine/pharmacology , Peptides/metabolism , Peptides/pharmacology , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Receptors, Formyl Peptide/genetics , Receptors, Formyl Peptide/metabolism , ZymosanABSTRACT
B cells are now acknowledged to play multiple roles in the immune response, in addition to making antibodies. Their role in regulating T-cell responses during inflammation has come into focus recently. Thus, IL-10 production by B cells has been shown to be important in limiting auto-reactive and pathogen-driven immune pathology; however, the exact identity of the regulatory B cells remains elusive; do they belong to a committed subset or can all B cells regulate given the appropriate inducing stimuli? A study in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology provides insight into the IL-10-producing B cells in humans, suggesting that many B cells have the capacity to make IL-10 when optimally stimulated via the BCR and TLR9. Despite producing significant amounts of inflammatory cytokines as well, these B cells suppress T-cell proliferation. This Commentary places this study in the context of what we think we know about regulatory B cells and more importantly highlights the questions we still need to answer.
Subject(s)
B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Interleukin-10/immunology , Animals , Humans , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Mice , Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/immunology , Toll-Like Receptors/immunologyABSTRACT
Beta-defensins are antimicrobial peptides with an essential role in the innate immune response. In addition beta-defensins can also chemoattract cells involved in adaptive immunity. Until now, based on evidence from dendritic cell stimulation, human beta defensin-3 (hBD3) was considered pro-inflammatory. We present evidence here that hBD3 lacks pro-inflammatory activity in human and mouse primary Mphi. In addition, in the presence of LPS, hBD3 and the murine orthologue Defb14 (but not hBD2), effectively inhibit TNF-alpha and IL-6 accumulation implying an anti-inflammatory function. hBD3 also inhibits CD40/IFN-gamma stimulation of Mphi and in vivo, hBD3 significantly reduces the LPS-induced TNF-alpha level in serum. Recent work has revealed that hBD3 binds melanocortin receptors but we provide evidence that these are not involved in hBD3 immunomodulatory activity. This implies a dual role for hBD3 in antimicrobial activity and resolution of inflammation.
Subject(s)
Immune Tolerance/immunology , Inflammation/immunology , beta-Defensins/immunology , 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate/pharmacology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , CD40 Ligand/pharmacology , Cells, Cultured/immunology , Endotoxemia/immunology , Humans , Interferon-gamma/pharmacology , Interleukin-10/physiology , Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity , Macrophage Activation/drug effects , Macrophages/immunology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Knockout , Molecular Sequence Data , Receptors, Melanocortin/deficiency , Receptors, Melanocortin/genetics , Receptors, Melanocortin/physiology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/analysis , beta-Defensins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
The development of biological therapies has improved management of rheumatoid arthritis. However, costs and unresponsiveness to therapy in a sizeable proportion of patients limit their use, making it imperative to identify new targets for drug development programs. Here we investigated the melanocortin-receptor type 3 (MC(3)) pathway. Gene-deficient mice were subjected to a model of serum-transfer-induced arthritis and joints analyzed for gene expression (cytokines, MCs) and morphology. Pharmacological analyses were also conducted in this model. Osteoclastogenesis was studied from bone marrow cells. Mc(3)(-/-) mice displayed an exacerbated inflammatory arthritis, associated with prominent bone erosion and higher articular expression of Rankl. Osteoclastogenesis studied from Mc(3)(-/-) bone marrow cells revealed a higher degree of responsiveness to Rankl, linked to prolonged NF-κB activation compared to wild types. Up-regulation of a discrete set of inflammatory genes, including Il-1ß, Il-6, and Nos2, was measured in Mc(3)(-/-) mice, and a marked up-regulation of joint Mc(3) accompanied arthritis resolution in wild-type mice. Administration of an MC(3) agonist, D[Trp8]-γ-MSH, attenuated disease incidence and severity in wild-type but not Mc(3)(-/-) mice. Overall, these findings identify MC(3)-mediated signaling as a beneficial pathway in experimental arthritis; hence this receptor is a novel target for the development of therapeutics for arthritis.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism , Osteoclasts/cytology , Osteoclasts/metabolism , Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/metabolism , Animals , Arthritis, Experimental/genetics , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay , Flow Cytometry , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Osteogenesis/genetics , Osteogenesis/physiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 3/geneticsABSTRACT
Neutrophils are recruited to sites of injury but their timely removal is thought to be vital to prevent exacerbating inflammation. In addition, the recognition of apoptotic cells by cells of the innate immune system provides potent anti-inflammatory and anti-immunogenic signals. In this article, we describe how human neutrophils dying by apoptosis or necrosis release anti-inflammatory peptides, the alpha-defensins. This family of small cationic peptides effectively inhibits the secretion of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and NO from macrophages, the main innate immune cell found at sites of chronic inflammation. In addition, the systemic administration of necrotic neutrophil supernatants and alpha-defensins protects mice from a murine model of peritonitis. Hence. their effects may be far-reaching and serve to kill microbes while regulating a potentially tissue-destructive inflammatory response.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Neutrophils/immunology , alpha-Defensins/metabolism , Animals , Cytokines/antagonists & inhibitors , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Immunity, Innate , Inflammation/drug therapy , Macrophages/drug effects , Macrophages/metabolism , Mice , Necrosis , Neutrophils/cytology , Nitric Oxide/antagonists & inhibitors , Peritonitis/drug therapy , alpha-Defensins/pharmacology , alpha-Defensins/therapeutic useABSTRACT
B cells are critical for promoting autoimmunity and the success of B cell depletion therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) confirms their importance in driving chronic inflammation. Whilst disease specific autoantibodies are useful diagnostically, our understanding of the pathogenic B cell repertoire remains unclear. Defining it would lead to novel insights and curative treatments. To address this, we have undertaken the largest study to date of over 150 RA patients, utilizing next generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze up to 200,000 BCR sequences per patient. The full-length antigen-binding variable region of the heavy chain (IgGHV) of the IgG B cell receptor (BCR) were sequenced. Surprisingly, RA patients do not express particular clonal expansions of B cells at diagnosis. Rather they express a polyclonal IgG repertoire with a significant increase in BCRs that have barely mutated away from the germline sequence. This pattern remains even after commencing disease modifying therapy. These hypomutated BCRs are expressed by TNF-alpha secreting IgG+veCD27-ve B cells, that are expanded in RA peripheral blood and enriched in the rheumatoid synovium. A similar B cell repertoire is expressed by patients with Sjögren's syndrome. A rate limiting step in the initiation of autoimmunity is the activation of B cells and this data reveals that a sizeable component of the human autoimmune B cell repertoire consists of polyclonal, hypomutated IgG+ve B cells, that may play a critical role in driving chronic inflammation.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology , Autoimmunity , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Genes, Immunoglobulin , Immunoglobulin G/genetics , Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Autoantibodies/immunology , Cell Lineage , Clone Cells , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/genetics , Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics , Lymphocyte Activation , Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics , Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology , Sjogren's Syndrome/pathology , Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7/analysis , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolismABSTRACT
Cortisone, a glucocorticoid hormone, was first used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in humans in the late 1940s, for which Hench, Reichstein and Kendall were awarded a Nobel Prize in 1950 and which led to the discovery of the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. To be effective, the intrinsically inert cortisone must be converted to the active glucocorticoid, cortisol, by the intracellular action of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1). Whilst orally administered cortisone is rapidly converted to the active hormone, cortisol, by first pass metabolism in the liver, recent work has highlighted an anti-inflammatory role for 11beta-HSD1 within specific tissues, including in leukocytes. Here, we review recent evidence pertaining to the anti-inflammatory role of 11beta-HSD1 and describe how inhibition of 11beta-HSD1, as widely proposed for treatment of metabolic disease, may impact upon inflammation. Finally, the mechanisms that regulate 11beta-HSD1 transcription will be discussed.
Subject(s)
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1/metabolism , Inflammation/enzymology , 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1/genetics , Animals , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic , Glucocorticoids/metabolism , Humans , Transcription, GeneticABSTRACT
Immunization of patients with autologous, ex vivo matured dendritic cell (DC) preparations, in order to prime antitumor T-cell responses, is the focus of intense research. Despite progress and approval of clinical approaches, significant enhancement of these personalized immunotherapies is urgently needed to improve efficacy. We show that immunotherapeutic murine and human DC, generated in the presence of the antimicrobial host defense peptide LL-37, have dramatically enhanced expansion and differentiation of cells with key features of the critical CD103+/CD141+ DC subsets, including enhanced cross-presentation and co-stimulatory capacity, and upregulation of CCR7 with improved migratory capacity. These LL-37-DC enhanced proliferation, activation and cytokine production by CD8+ (but not CD4+) T cells in vitro and in vivo. Critically, tumor antigen-presenting LL-37-DC increased migration of primed, activated CD8+ T cells into established squamous cell carcinomas in mice, and resulted in tumor regression. This advance therefore has the potential to dramatically enhance DC immunotherapy protocols.