Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of pvmdr-1 in Plasmodium vivax isolated from military personnel of Republic of Korea in 2016 and 2017.

BACKGROUND: Malaria chemoprophylaxis using chloroquine (CQ) and primaquine (PQ) has been administered to resident soldiers in the 3rd Army of Republic of Korea (ROK) to prevent malaria infection since the year 1997. Due to mass chemoprophylaxis against malaria, concern exists about the occurrence of chloroquine resistance (CQR). This study aimed to investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Plasmodium vivax multi-drug resistance protein-1 (pvmdr-1) gene to monitor the risk of CQR. METHODS: SNPs of the pvmdr-1 gene were analysed in 73 soldiers of the 3rd Army of ROK diagnosed with infection by P. vivax. RESULTS: Quintuple mutations (G698S, L845F, M908L, T958M, and F1076L) were detected in 73 soldiers. A newly identified non-synonymous mutation in the Y541C position had been introduced into P. vivax malaria-endemic areas in ROK, at a frequency of 1.3% (1/73). In addition, synonymous mutations were detected at positions K44 (38.4%, 28/73), L493 (26%, 19/73), T529 (61.6%, 45/73), and E1233 (52.1%, 38/73). Based on these SNPs, pvmdr-1 sequences of ROK were classified into 6 haplotypes. The phylogenetic analysis closed to the type of North Korean showed that P. vivax malaria of ROK could be a reason of influx from North Korea. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that synonymous and non-synonymous mutations of pvmdr-1 were observed in the malaria chemoprophylaxis-executed regions of ROK from 2016 to 2017. Based on the rapid transition of pvmdr-1 SNPs, continuous surveillance for SNPs of pvmdr-1 related to CQR in the malaria-endemic regions of ROK is essential.

Investigation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency prevalence in a Plasmodium vivax-endemic area in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

BACKGROUND: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most prevalent inborn disorder. This X-chromosome-linked recessive disease affects more than 400 million people globally, and is associated with haemolytic anaemia after medication with the anti-latent malaria drug, primaquine. To prevent malaria, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army administers malaria chemoprophylaxis. Due to the previously low G6PD deficiency prevalence in the ROK, prior to primaquine administration, testing for G6PD deficiency was not mandatory. In this study, to evaluate the risk from malaria chemoprophylaxis in the ROK, G6PD deficiency prevalence was investigated. METHODS: Blood specimens from 1632 soldiers entering training camp for the 3rd Infantry of the ROK Army were collected. CareStart™ Biosensor for G6PD and haemoglobin (Hb) was used to detect G6PD levels. G6PD variants using the DiaPlexC G6PD Genotyping kit (Asian type) and full-length sequencing were examined. RESULTS: Of 1632 blood specimens tested, none was observed to be G6PD deficient. The median value of all tested samples was 7.582 U/g Hb. An investigation of 170 G6PD DNA variants was analysed and categorized as partially low normal [n = 131, 30-80% (2.27-6.05 U/g Hb) of the median value], high [n = 3, > 150% (> 11.373 U/g Hb) of the median value], or normal [n = 36, 80-150% (6.05-11.373 U/g Hb) of the median value], and none was amplified by the DiaPlexC kit. Five silent mutations (C→T) in 131 partially low normal specimens were found at the 1311th nucleotide position by sequence analysis. Another 8 silent mutations (T93C) were also detected in 131 partially low normal specimens. Thus, it is inferred that these silent mutations could be related to G6PD activity. CONCLUSIONS: This G6PD deficiency prevalence study, conducted among participants from the 3rd Infantry of the ROK Army, provided crucial evidence for the safety of malaria chemoprophylaxis. This study showed that the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among 1632 young soldiers was wholly absent. Although G6PD phenotypic mutations were not detected, many silent mutations (C1311T and T93C) were observed. Thus, it is inferred that malaria chemoprophylaxis is relatively safe against G6PD deficiency-mediated haemolytic anaemia. However, given the number of individuals whose G6PD were at the partially low normal range and the frequent detection of G6PD deficiency-related mutations, consistent monitoring of G6PD deficiency is needed.

Platelet-activating Factor Mediates Endotoxin Tolerance by Regulating Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-dependent Expression of the Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) mediates immune tolerance, and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) negatively regulates the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway. We determined previously that platelet-activating factor (PAF) protects mice against LPS-induced endotoxic shock, but its detailed mechanism of action was unknown. We performed survival experiments in IDO+/+ and IDO-/- mice using an LPS-induced endotoxemia model and rated organ injury (neutrophil infiltration and liver function). Using ELISA and Western blotting, we also investigated the mechanism of PAF-mediated endotoxin tolerance during endotoxemia. PAF-mediated endotoxin tolerance was dependent on IDO in vivo and in vitro and was not observed in IDO-/- mice. JAK/STAT signaling, crucial for SOCS3 expression, was also impaired in the absence of IDO. In an IDO- and STAT-dependent manner, PAF mediated a decrease in IL-12 and a dramatic increase in IL-10 and reduced mouse mortality. In addition, PAF attenuated LPS-mediated neutrophil infiltration into the lungs and interactions between neutrophil-like (THP-1) and endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). These results indicate that PAF-mediated endotoxin tolerance is initiated via IDO- and JAK/STAT-dependent expression of SOCS3. Our study has revealed a novel tolerogenic mechanism of IDO action and an important association between IDO and SOCS3 with respect to endotoxin tolerance.

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) Inhibition Enhances Dendritic Cell-based Cancer Vaccine Potency via Suppression of Interferon-γ-induced Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Expression.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) functions as a crucial mediator of tumor-mediated immune tolerance by causing T-cell suppression via tryptophan starvation in a tumor environment. Glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) is also involved in immune and anti-tumor responses. However, the relativity of these proteins has not been as well defined. Here, we found that GSK-3ß-dependent IDO expression in the dendritic cell (DC) plays a role in anti-tumor activity via the regulation of CD8(+) T-cell polarization and cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. By the inhibition of GSK-3ß, attenuated IDO expression and impaired JAK1/2-Stat signaling crucial for IDO expression were observed. Protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) activity and the interaction between JAK1/2 and Stat3, which are important for IDO expression, were also reduced by GSK-3ß inhibition. CD8(+) T-cell proliferation mediated by OVA-pulsed DC was blocked by interferon (IFN)-γ-induced IDO expression via GSK-3ß activity. Specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity mediated by OVA-pulsed DC against OVA-expressing EG7 thymoma cells but not OVA-nonexpressing EL4 thymoma cells was also attenuated by the expressed IDO via IFN-γ-induced activation of GSK-3ß. Furthermore, tumor growth that was suppressed with OVA-pulsed DC vaccination was restored by IDO-expressing DC via IFN-γ-induced activation of GSK-3ß in an OVA-expressing murine EG7 thymoma model. Taken together, DC-based immune response mediated by interferon-γ-induced IDO expression via GSK-3ß activity not only regulates CD8(+) T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity but also modulates OVA-pulsed DC vaccination against EG7 thymoma.

Salinomycin simultaneously induces apoptosis and autophagy through generation of reactive oxygen species in osteosarcoma U2OS cells.

Salinomycin, a polyether antibiotic, acts as a highly selective potassium ionophore. It was reported to anticancer activity on various cancer cell lines. In this study, salinomycin was examined on apoptosis and autophagy through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Apoptosis, autophagy, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ROS were analyzed using flow cytometry. Also, expressions of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins were determined by western blotting. As a result, salinomycin triggered apoptosis of U2OS cells, which was accompanied by change of MMP and cleavage of caspases-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. And salinomycin increased the expression of autophagy-related protein and accumulation of acidic vesicular organelles (AVO). Salinomycin-induced ROS production promotes both apoptosis and autophagy, as evidenced by the result that treatment of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, attenuated both apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3 MA) enhanced the salinoymcin-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggested that salinomycin-induced autophagy, as a survival mechanism, might be a potential strategy through ROS regulation in cancer therapy.

Daxx mediates activation-induced cell death in microglia by triggering MST1 signalling.

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the mammalian central nervous system, migrate to sites of tissue damage or infection and become activated. Although the persistent secretion of inflammatory mediators by the activated cells contributes to the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, most activated microglia eventually undergo apoptosis through the process of activation-induced cell death (AICD). The molecular mechanism of AICD, however, has remained unclear. Here, we show that Daxx and mammalian Ste20-like kinase-1 (MST1) mediate apoptosis elicited by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in microglia. IFN-γ upregulated the expression of Daxx, which in turn mediated the homodimerization, activation, and nuclear translocation of MST1 and apoptosis in microglial cells. Depletion of Daxx or MST1 by RNA interference also attenuated IFN-γ-induced cell death in primary rat microglia. Furthermore, the extent of IFN-γ-induced death of microglia in the brain of MST1-null mice was significantly reduced compared with that apparent in wild-type mice. Our results thus highlight new functions of Daxx and MST1 that they are the key mediators of microglial cell death initiated by the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ.

Protein kinase C δ (PKCδ)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling cascade regulates glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibition-mediated interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) modulates a wide array of cellular processes, including embryonic development, cell differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. Recently, it was reported that a GSK-3 inhibitor attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock and regulates the mortality of endotoxemic mice. However, the detailed mechanism of reduced mortality via GSK-3 inhibition is not well defined. Herein, we showed that GSK-3 inhibition induces extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation under LPS-stressed conditions via protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) activation. Furthermore, PKCδ-induced ERK1/2 activation by the inhibition of GSK-3 provoked the production of interleukin (IL)-10, playing a crucial role in regulating endotoxemia. Using a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 (MEK-1) and PKCδ inhibitor, we confirmed that GSK-3 inhibition induces PKCδ and subsequent ERK1/2 activation, resulting in increased IL-10 expression under LPS-treated conditions. We verified that septic shock caused by LPS is attenuated by GSK-3 inhibition using a GSK-3 inhibitor. This relieved endotoxemia induced by GSK-3 inhibition was restored in an ERK1/2-dependent manner. Taken together, IL-10 expression produced by GSK-3 inhibition-induced ERK1/2 activation via PKCδ relieved LPS-mediated endotoxemia. This finding suggests that IL-10 hyperexpression resulting from GSK-3 inhibition-induced ERK activation could be a new therapeutic pathway for endotoxemia.

Resveratrol suppresses tumor progression via the regulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

This study showed the potential of resveratrol to inhibit the expression and activity of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The mechanism of suppression was associated with the activity of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) and protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ). In addition, resveratrol-mediated IDO suppression in IFN-γ-stimulated BMDCs appears to play a pivotal role in anti-tumor activity through the regulation of CD8(+) T cell polarization and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. Systemic administration of resveratrol suppressed tumor growth in EG7 thymoma-bearing mice in an IDO-dependent manner. Taken together, resveratrol not only regulates immune response through the regulation of IDO in a JAK/STAT1- and PKCδ-dependent manner, but also modulates the IDO-mediated immune tolerance in EG7 thymoma.

GSK-3ß-induced ASK1 stabilization is crucial in LPS-induced endotoxin shock.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), a multifunctional kinase, is a regulator of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated septic shock. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is also required for LPS-induced activation of p38, which is a crucial determinant for the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in endotoxemia. Here, we show that attenuation of endotoxemia induced by GSK-3 inhibition is caused by the ASK1 reduction-mediated inhibition of p38, a representative downstream kinase of ASK1. LPS-stimulated activation of p38 was blocked by the reduction of ASK1 via the knockdown of GSK-3ß. In addition, compared with L929 control cells, ASK1 protein was reduced in L929 cells stably expressing Wnt-3a and in which ß-catenin was active, due to the inhibition of GSK-3ß activity. GSK-3ß inhibition-mediated ASK1 reduction was also confirmed by reduced ASK1 in GSK-3ß-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) and MCF7 GSK-3ß siRNA cells. Furthermore, ASK1 protein stability was also attenuated in MCF7 GSK-3ß siRNA cells compared with GFP control cells. Consistent with stability data, a much stronger ubiquitination of ASK1 was observed in cells in which GSK-3ß was knocked down. These findings suggest that GSK-3ß crosstalks with p38 kinase via the regulation of ASK1 protein stability in endotoxemia.

Mycobacterium tuberculosislpdC, Rv0462, induces dendritic cell maturation and Th1 polarization.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological factor of pulmonary tuberculosis, causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Activation of host immune responses for containment of mycobacterial infections involves participation of innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we demonstrated that the gene encoding lipoamide dehydrogenase C (lpdC) from M. tuberculosis, Rv0462, induce maturation and activation of DCs involved in the MAPKs signaling pathway. Moreover, Rv0462-treated DCs activated naïve T cells, polarized CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells to secrete IFN-γ in syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions, which would be expected to contribute to Th1 polarization of the immune response. Our results suggest that Rv0462 can contribute to the innate and adaptive immune responses during tuberculosis infection, and thus modulate the clinical course of tuberculosis.

Oncostatin M induces dendritic cell maturation and Th1 polarization.

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a pleiotropic cytokine and a member of the gp130/IL-6 cytokine family that has been found to be involved in both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in cell-mediated immunity. Maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) is crucial for initiation of primary immune responses and is regulated by several stimuli. In this study, the role of OSM in the phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs was evaluated in vitro. Stimulation with OSM upregulated the expression of CD80, CD86, MHC class I and MHC class II and reduced the endocytic capacity of immature DCs. Moreover, OSM induced the allogeneic immunostimulatory capacity of DCs by stimulating the production of the Th1-promoting cytokine IL-12. OSM also increased the production of IFN-gamma by T cells in mixed-lymphocyte reactions, which would be expected to contribute to the Th1 polarization of the immune response. The expression of surface markers and cytokine production in DCs was mediated by both the MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways. Taken together, these results indicate that OSM may play a role in innate immunity and in acquired immunity by enhancing DCs maturation and promoting Th1 immune responses.

Identification of a novel antiapoptotic protein that antagonizes ASK1 and CAD activities.

Diverse stimuli initiate the activation of apoptotic signaling pathways that often causes nuclear DNA fragmentation. Here, we report a new antiapoptotic protein, a caspase-activated DNase (CAD) inhibitor that interacts with ASK1 (CIIA). CIIA, by binding to apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), inhibits oligomerization-induced ASK1 activation. CIIA also associates with CAD and inhibits the nuclease activity of CAD without affecting caspase-3-mediated ICAD cleavage. Overexpressed CIIA reduces H2O2- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis. CIIA antisense oligonucleotides, which abolish expression of endogenous CIIA in murine L929 cells, block the inhibitory effect of CIIA on ASK1 activation, deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation, and apoptosis. These findings suggest that CIIA is an endogenous antagonist of both ASK1- and CAD-mediated signaling.

Robotic dispensing of composite scaffolds and in vitro responses of bone marrow stromal cells.

The development of bioactive scaffolds with a designed pore configuration is of particular importance in bone tissue engineering. In this study, bone scaffolds with a controlled pore structure and a bioactive composition were produced using a robotic dispensing technique. A poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite solution (PCL/HA = 1) was constructed into a 3-dimensional (3D) porous scaffold by fiber deposition and layer-by-layer assembly using a computer-aided robocasting machine. The in vitro tissue cell compatibility was examined using rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSCs). The adhesion and growth of cells onto the robotic dispensed scaffolds were observed to be limited by applying the conventional cell seeding technique. However, the initially adhered cells were viable on the scaffold surface. The alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells was significantly higher on the HA-PCL than on the PCL and control culture dish, suggesting that the robotic dispensed HA-PCL scaffold should stimulate the osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs. Moreover, the expression of a series of bone-associated genes, including alkaline phosphatase and collagen type I, was highly up-regulated on the HA-PCL scaffold as compared to that on the pure PCL scaffold. Overall, the robotic dispensed HA-PCL is considered to find potential use as a bioactive 3D scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Heat shock protein hsp72 is a negative regulator of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1.

Heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) is thought to protect cells against cellular stress. The protective role of Hsp72 was investigated by determining the effect of this protein on the stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Prior exposure of NIH 3T3 cells to mild heat shock (43 degrees C for 20 min) resulted in inhibition of H(2)O(2)-induced activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). Overexpression of Hsp72 also inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced activation of ASK1 as well as that of downstream kinases in the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade. Recombinant Hsp72 bound directly to ASK1 and inhibited ASK1 activity in vitro. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation analysis revealed a physical interaction between endogenous Hsp72 and ASK1 in NIH 3T3 cells exposed to mild heat shock. Hsp72 blocked both the homo-oligomerization of ASK1 and ASK1-dependent apoptosis. Hsp72 antisense oligonucleotides prevented the inhibitory effects of mild heat shock on H(2)O(2)-induced ASK1 activation and apoptosis. These observations suggest that Hsp72 functions as an endogenous inhibitor of ASK1.

Salinomycin Induces Reactive Oxygen Species and Apoptosis in Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells as Mediated with Regulation of Autophagy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chemotherapy is a critical option for cancer treatment. However, consistent exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs promotes chemoresistance in cancer cells through diverse mechanisms. Accordingly, we investigated whether salinomycin, a monocarboxylic ionophore, could induce apoptosis in aggressive breast cancer cells or not, as well as its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using salinomycin on two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells, cell viability, annexin V/propidium iodide staining, acridine orange staining, caspase-3/9 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were assayed. RESULTS: In this study, salinomycin induced apoptosis and autophagy in MDA-MB-231 cells. Salinomycin-mediated ROS production led to mitochondrial dysfunction in MDA-MB-231 cells. Interestingly, treatment of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a scavenger of ROS, attenuated salinomycin-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, autophagy inhibition is involved in acceleration of apoptosis induced by salinomycin. CONCLUSION: Salinomycin induced apoptosis and ROS production, that were blocked by autophagy, thus resulting in protecting cancer cells. This crosstalk of two different physiological responses (autophagy and apoptosis) induced by salinomycin might play pivotal roles in the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis of cancer cells.

Enhancement of paclitaxel-induced breast cancer cell death via the glycogen synthase kinase-3ß-mediated B-cell lymphoma 2 regulation.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is known to mediate cancer cell death. Here, we show that B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), an anti-apoptotic protein, is regulated by GSK-3ß and that GSK-3ß-mediated regulation of Bcl-2 is crucial for mitochondrial-dependent cell death in paclitaxel-stimulated cells. We demonstrate that MCF7 GSK-3ß siRNA cells are more sensitive to cell death than MCF7 GFP control cells and that in the absence of GSK-3ß, Bcl-2 levels are reduced, a result enhanced by paclitaxel. Paclitaxel-induced JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) activation is critical for Bcl-2 modulation. In the absence of GSK-3ß, Bcl-2 was unstable in an ubiquitination-dependent manner in both basal- and paclitaxeltreated cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that GSK-3ß-mediated regulation of Bcl-2 influences cytochrome C release and mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, our data suggest that GSK-3ß-dependent regulation of Bcl-2 is crucial for mitochondria-dependent cell death in paclitaxel-mediated breast cancer therapy.

Resveratrol regulates naïve CD 8+ T-cell proliferation by upregulating IFN-γ-induced tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase expression.

We found that resveratrol enhances interferon (IFN)-γ-induced tryptophanyl-tRNA-synthetase (TTS) expression in bone marrow- derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Resveratrol-induced TTS expression is associated with glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) activity. In addition, we found that resveratrol regulates naïve CD8+ T-cell polarization by modulating GSK-3ß activity in IFN-γ-stimulated BMDCs, and that resveratol induces upregulation of TTS in CD8+ T-cells in the in vivo tumor environment. Taken together, resveratrol upregulates IFN-γ-induced TTS expression in a GSK-3ß-dependent manner, and this TTS modulation is crucial for DC-mediated T-cell modulation.

Ellagic acid modulates LPS-induced maturation of dendritic cells through the regulation of JNK activity.

Ellagic acid (EA) is a well- known phytochemical that modulates various cellular processes. It is present in a variety of foods, including grapes, strawberries, and nuts. However, the influence of EA on immunological responses is not well defined. Here, we investigated the effects of EA on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). EA was not cytotoxic to DCs. EA suppressed LPS-induced expression of costimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86), but it did not suppress the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II in BMDCs. In particular, EA blocked LPS-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation. LPS-mediated expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12 and IFN-γ) was diminished by EA. We also confirmed that levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ were not influenced by EA in the presence of a JNK inhibitor. Taken together, these data demonstrate that EA regulates the immune response through the modulation of LPS-induced DC maturation.

Mycobacterium abscessus MAB2560 induces maturation of dendritic cells via Toll-like receptor 4 and drives Th1 immune response.

In this study, we showed that Mycobacterium abscessus MAB2560 induces the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which are representative antigen-presenting cells (APCs). M. abscessus MAB2560 stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1ß, and IL-12p70] and reduce the endocytic capacity and maturation of DCs. Using TLR4-/- DCs, we found that MAB2560 mediated DC maturation via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). MAB2560 also activated the MAPK signaling pathway, which was essential for DC maturation. Furthermore, MAB2560- treated DCs induced the transformation of naïve T cells to polarized CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which would be crucial for Th1 polarization of the immune response. Taken together, our results indicate that MAB2560 could potentially regulate the host immune response to M. abscessus and may have critical implications for the manipulation of DC functions for developing DC-based immunotherapy.

The Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis protein MAP1305 modulates dendritic cell-mediated T cell proliferation through Toll-like receptor-4.

In this study, we show that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis MAP1305 induces the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), a representative antigen presenting cell (APC). MAP1305 protein induces DC maturation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1ß) through Toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling by directly binding with TLR4. MAP1305 activates the phosphorylation of MAPKs, such as ERK, p38MAPK, and JNK, which is essential for DC maturation. Furthermore, MAP1305-treated DCs transform naïve T cells to polarized CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, thus indicating a key role for this protein in the Th1 polarization of the resulting immune response. Taken together, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis MAP1305 is important for the regulation of innate immune response through DC-mediated proliferation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells.