scholarly journals TLR7 expression aggravates invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis by suppressing anti-Aspergillus immunity of macrophages

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banglao Xu ◽  
Qin Luo ◽  
Yi Gong ◽  
Jiaxi Li ◽  
Ju Cao

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in early immune recognition of Aspergillus, which can regulate host defense during invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA). However, the role of TLR7 in the pathogenesis of IPA remains unknown. In this study, an in vivo model of IPA was established to investigate the contribution of TLR7 to host anti-Aspergillus immunity upon invasive pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus infection. The effects of TLR7 on phagocytosis and killing capacities of A. fumigatus by macrophages and neutrophils were investigated in vitro. We found that TLR7 knockout mice exhibited lower lung inflammatory response and tissue injury, higher fungal clearance, and greater survival in an in vivo model of IPA as compared with wild-type mice. TLR7 activation by R837 ligand led wild-type mice more susceptible to invasive pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus infection. Macrophages, but not neutrophils, were required for the protection against IPA observed in TLR7 knockout mice. Mechanistically, TLR7 impaired phagocytosis and killing of A. fumigatus by macrophages, but not neutrophils. Together, these data identify TLR7 as an important negative regulator of anti-Aspergillus innate immunity in IPA, and we propose that targeting TLR7 may be beneficial in treatment of IPA.

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 579-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ninette Genster ◽  
Elisabeth Præstekjær Cramer ◽  
Anne Rosbjerg ◽  
Katrine Pilely ◽  
Jack Bernard Cowland ◽  
...  

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes severe invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Innate immunity plays a major role in protection against A. fumigatus. The ficolins are a family of soluble pattern recognition receptors that are capable of activating the lectin pathway of complement. Previous in vitro studies reported that ficolins bind to A. fumigatus, but their part in host defense against fungal infections in vivo is unknown. In this study, we used ficolin-deficient mice to investigate the role of ficolins during lung infection with A. fumigatus. Ficolin knockout mice showed significantly higher fungal loads in the lungs 24 h postinfection compared to wild-type mice. The delayed clearance of A. fumigatus in ficolin knockout mice could not be attributed to a compromised recruitment of inflammatory cells. However, it was revealed that ficolin knockout mice exhibited a decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs compared to wild-type mice following A. fumigatus infection. The impaired clearance and cytokine production in ficolin knockout mice was independent of complement, as shown by equivalent levels of A. fumigatus-mediated complement activation in ficolin knockout mice and wild-type mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ficolins are important in initial innate host defense against A. fumigatus infections in vivo.


2014 ◽  
Vol 459 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qixue Wang ◽  
Xingzhe Ma ◽  
Yuanli Chen ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
Meixiu Jiang ◽  
...  

Activation of LXR (liver X receptor) induces interferon-γ expression both in vitro and in vivo. LXR inhibits tumour growth in wild-type mice, but not in interferon-γ-knockout mice, suggesting the critical role for interferon-γ expression in LXR-inhibited tumours.


2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (3) ◽  
pp. H337-H345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Gotha ◽  
Sang Yup Lim ◽  
Azriel B. Osherov ◽  
Rafael Wolff ◽  
Beiping Qiang ◽  
...  

Perlecan is a proteoglycan composed of a 470-kDa core protein linked to three heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan chains. The intact proteoglycan inhibits the smooth muscle cell (SMC) response to vascular injury. Hspg2Δ3/Δ3 (MΔ3/Δ3) mice produce a mutant perlecan lacking the HS side chains. The objective of this study was to determine differences between these two types of perlecan in modifying SMC activities to the arterial injury response, in order to define the specific role of the HS side chains. In vitro proliferative and migratory activities were compared in SMC isolated from MΔ3/Δ3 and wild-type mice. Proliferation of MΔ3/Δ3 SMC was 1.5× greater than in wild type ( P < 0.001), increased by addition of growth factors, and showed a 42% greater migratory response than wild-type cells to PDGF-BB ( P < 0.001). In MΔ3/Δ3 SMC adhesion to fibronectin, and collagen types I and IV was significantly greater than wild type. Addition of DRL-12582, an inducer of perlecan expression, decreased proliferation and migratory response to PDGF-BB stimulation in wild-type SMC compared with MΔ3/Δ3. In an in vivo carotid artery wire injury model, the medial thickness, medial area/lumen ratio, and macrophage infiltration were significantly increased in the MΔ3/Δ3 mice, indicating a prominent role of the HS side chain in limiting vascular injury response. Mutant perlecan that lacks HS side chains had a marked reduction in the inhibition of in vitro SMC function and the in vivo arterial response to injury, indicating the critical role of HS side chains in perlecan function in the vessel wall.


2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 2380-2390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Ji ◽  
Christopher J. Adkins ◽  
Bethany R. Cartwright ◽  
Katherine L. Friedman

ABSTRACT In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the sequence-specific binding of the negative regulator Rap1p provides a mechanism to measure telomere length: as the telomere length increases, the binding of additional Rap1p inhibits telomerase activity in cis. We provide evidence that the association of Rap1p with telomeric DNA in vivo occurs in part by sequence-independent mechanisms. Specific mutations in EST2 (est2-LT) reduce the association of Rap1p with telomeric DNA in vivo. As a result, telomeres are abnormally long yet bind an amount of Rap1p equivalent to that observed at wild-type telomeres. This behavior contrasts with that of a second mutation in EST2 (est2-up34) that increases bound Rap1p as expected for a strain with long telomeres. Telomere sequences are subtly altered in est2-LT strains, but similar changes in est2-up34 telomeres suggest that sequence abnormalities are a consequence, not a cause, of overelongation. Indeed, est2-LT telomeres bind Rap1p indistinguishably from the wild type in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that Est2p can directly or indirectly influence the binding of Rap1p to telomeric DNA, implicating telomerase in roles both upstream and downstream of Rap1p in telomere length homeostasis.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1508-1508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn M. Jobe ◽  
Katina M. Wilson ◽  
Lori Leo ◽  
Jeffery D. Molkentin ◽  
Steven R. Lentz ◽  
...  

Abstract Dual stimulation of platelets with thrombin and collagen results in the formation of a unique subpopulation of highly activated platelets. Characteristics of the highly activated platelet subpopulation includeincreased surface retention of procoagulant alpha granule proteins,high-level phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, andmodulation of the fibrinogen receptor αIIbβ3 as evidenced by their decreased recognition by antibodies to activated αIIbβ3 such as PAC-1 and JON/A. Formation of the highly activated platelet subpopulation is closely correlated with a rapid loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), a marker of MPTP formation. To test whether formation of the MPTP might regulate the development of the highly activated platelet subpopulation, platelet activation responses were examined in the presence of inhibitors and activators of MPTP formation. Cyclosporine, an inhibitor of MPTP formation, inhibited both PS externalization and αIIbβ3 modulation following dual stimulation with thrombin and the glycoprotein VI agonist convulxin (58 ± 4% vs. 9 ± 3%, p<0.01). Conversely, thrombin stimulation of platelets in the presence of H2O2 (100μM), an MPTP activator, increased PS externalization and αIIbβ3 modulation relative to platelets stimulated with thrombin alone (11 ± 3% vs. 48 ± 6%, p<0.05). Platelet activation responses were examined in cyclophilin D null (CypD −/−) mice, which have marked impairment of MPTP formation. Following dual agonist stimulation with thrombin and convulxin, both αIIbβ3 modulation and platelet PS externalization were significantly abrogated in CypD −/− platelets relative to wild type (7 ± 1% vs. 69 ± 1%, p<0.01). Alpha granule release, however, was unaffected in the absence of CypD. In vitro tests of platelet function similarly demonstrated that CypD −/− platelets had marked impairment of platelet prothrombinase activity relative to wild-type platelets after stimulation with thrombin and convulxin, but normal platelet aggregation responses. We then tested the hypothesis that CypD −/− mice would have an altered thrombotic response to arterial injury. Following photochemical injury of the carotid artery endothelium, a stable occlusive thrombus formed more rapidly in CypD −/− than in wild-type mice (16 ± 2 vs. 32 ± 7 min, p<0.05). Tail-bleeding time was unaffected. These results strongly implicate cyclophilin D and the MPTP as critical regulators of the subset of platelet activation responses occurring in the highly activated platelet subpopulation and suggest that activation of this novel platelet mitochondrial signaling pathway might play an important role in the regulation of the thrombotic response in vivo.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1330-1330
Author(s):  
David N. Haylock ◽  
Genevieve A. Whitty ◽  
Brenda Williams ◽  
Melonie J. Storan ◽  
Susie K. Nilsson

Abstract Osteoblasts are a key cellular component of the hemopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche and directly regulate the HSC pool. Molecules synthesised by osteoblasts both promote or inhibit HSC proliferation. Osteopontin (Opn) is an osteoblast produced, RGD containing protein with roles in cell adhesion and migration. Until recently, the role of Opn in hemopoiesis was seen as restricted to the regulation of bone turnover. However, from analysis of hemopoiesis in the Opn null mouse, we have demonstrated that Opn plays a critical role in regulating the HSC pool. Furthermore Opn is critical in trans-marrow migration and lodgement of HSC within the BM after transplantation. When added to in vitro HSC cultures, exogenous thrombin-cleaved Opn also inhibits cell proliferation and potently suppresses HSC differentiation. We have now demonstrated that this interaction occurs in an RGD-independent manner via the cryptic SVVYGLR epitope revealed on the N-terminal fragment of Opn following thrombin cleavage. This epitope has previously been shown to bind to α4β1 and α9β1. HSC are known to express α4β1, but we have now shown that within the HSC pool this occurs in a differential manner, mimicking that of CD38, with more committed CD34+CD38+ cord blood progenitors having the highest levels of expression. In addition, we have shown the previously unrecognised characteristic of human marrow and cord blood HSC, the expression of α9β1, which also occurs in a differential manner, but mimicking CD34. Expression of α9β1 is highest on cord blood CD34+CD38− cells, a population highly enriched for HSC. Using the synthetic SVVYGLR peptide in culture, we re-capitulated the thrombin-cleaved Opn induced suppression of HSC differentiation in a dose dependent manner. Antibody blocking experiments demonstrated that binding to this peptide was occurring through both α4β1 and α9β1. In contrast, suppression of HSC proliferation and differentiation did not occur through the upstream alternate α4β1 binding site. Furthermore, we have now demonstrated endogenous binding of Opn to α4β1 and α9β1 to cord blood HSC in vivo. Together, these data provide strong evidence that Opn is an important component of the HSC niche which acts as a physiological negative regulator. Furthermore, our studies identify the previously unrecognised characteristic of HSC, the expression of α9β1, which together with α4β1 provides two receptors on HSC with differing expression signatures and potentially a mechanism for fine tunning the physiological effects of Opn.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3469-3469
Author(s):  
Pratibha Singh ◽  
Seiji Fukuda ◽  
Janardhan Sampath ◽  
Louis M. Pelus

Abstract Interaction of CXCR4 expressed on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) with bone-marrow stromal SDF-1 is believed to play a central role in retention or mobilization of HSPC. Recently, a mobilization regimen of G-CSF was shown to decrease osteoblast number resulting in reduced levels of bone-marrow SDF-1, however the detailed mechanism leading to this reduction is currently unknown. It is unlikely that G-CSF directly regulates osteoblast SDF-1 production since osteoblasts do not express G-CSF receptor. Proteolytic cleavage of SDF-1 by peptidase CD26 in the bone-marrow may be an alternative mechanism responsible for reduction of SDF-1 level. Although CD26 can cleave SDF-1 in vitro, direct evidence of SDF-1 cleavage by CD26 in vivo during G-CSF induced HSPC mobilization has not been demonstrated. We previously demonstrated that neutrophils are required for G-CSF induced HSPC mobilization and that CD26 expression on neutrophils, rather than HSPC, is critical for mobilization. To more fully understand the role of CD26 in altering SDF-1 protein/activity during G-CSF induced HSPC mobilization, we quantitated bone-marrow SDF-1 levels in CD26−/− and wild-type CD26+/+ mice by ELISA during G-CSF administration. A standard 4 day G-CSF mobilization regimen (100 μg/kg bid, sc × 4 days) decreased bone-marrow total SDF-1 from 4.55±0.3 to 0.52±0.06 ng/femur in wild-type CD26+/+ mice (8.7-fold) and from 4.51±0.3 to 0.53±0.05 ng/femur (8.5-fold) in CD26−/− mice. However, despite an equivalent decrease in SDF-1, total CFU mobilization and the absolute number of mobilized SKL cells were decreased (3.1 and 2.0 fold lower, respectively) in CD26−/− mice compared to wild-type CD26+/+ controls. These results suggest that the decrease in total SDF-1 level in marrow seen following G-CSF treatment is independent of CD26. Cytological examination of bone-marrow smears showed that the reduction in SDF-1 levels in bone-marrow of both wild-type CD26+/+ and CD26−/− mice following G-CSF administration correlated with an increase in total absolute bone-marrow neutrophil cell number, suggesting a role for neutrophils in modulation of SDF-1 protein. To determine if neutrophils affect osteoblast SDF-1 production, bone marrow Gr-1+ neutrophils from wild-type CD26+/+ and CD26−/− mice were purified using anti-Ly6G magnetic beads and co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts in vitro. Gr-1+ neutrophils from both wild-type and CD26−/− mice decreased pre-osteoblast SDF-1 production by similar amounts (15.4-fold vs 14.8-fold respectively), while Gr-1 neg cells from both wild-type CD26+/+ or CD26−/− were without effect on SDF-1 levels. Similarly, Gr-1+ neutrophils from both wild-type and CD26−/− mice decreased SDF-1 produced by MC3T3-E1-derived osteoblasts from 1.85±0.3 to 0.52±0.06 ng/ml (3.5 fold) and 0.56±0.07 ng/ml (3.3 fold) respectively, with Gr-1neg cells having no effect. Gr-1+ neutrophils either from wild-type or CD26−/− mice, but not Gr-1neg cells, significantly induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells as measured by Annexin-V staining (70.5%±10.2 vs 71.2%±12.5 for wild-type CD26+/+ and CD26−/− neutrophils respectively) and significantly inhibited osteoblast activity (20-fold vs 20.6-fold for CD26+/+ and CD26−/− neutrophils respectively) as measured by osteocalcin expression. Furthermore, irrespective of G-CSF treatment, an inverse correlation between absolute neutrophil number and SDF-1 protein levels was observed, suggesting that G-CSF induces neutrophil expansion but does not directly affect SDF-1 production. Collectively, these results provide additional support for the critical role of neutrophils in G-CSF induced mobilization and strongly suggested that neutrophils directly regulate bone-marrow SDF-1 levels independent of CD26 activity.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 350-350
Author(s):  
Kyung-Hee Chang ◽  
Amitava Sengupta ◽  
Ramesh C Nayak ◽  
Angeles Duran ◽  
Sang Jun Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract In the bone marrow (BM), hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors (HSC/P) reside in specific anatomical niches. Among these niches, a functional osteoblast (Ob)-macrophage (MΦ) niche has been described where Ob and MΦ (so called "osteomacs") are in direct relationship. A connection between innate immunity surveillance and traffic of hematopoietic stem cells/progenitors (HSC/P) has been demonstrated but the regulatory signals that instruct immune regulation from MΦ and Ob on HSC/P circulation are unknown. The adaptor protein sequestosome 1 (Sqstm1), contains a Phox bemp1 (PB1) domain which regulates signal specificities through PB1-PB1 scaffolding and processes of autophagy. Using microenvironment and osteoblast-specific mice deficient in Sqstm1, we discovered that the deficiency of Sqstm1 results in macrophage contact-dependent activation of Ob IKK/NF-κB, in vitro and in vivo repression of Ccl4 (a CCR5 binding chemokine that has been shown to modulate microenvironment Cxcl12-mediated responses of HSC/P), HSC/P egress and deficient BM homing of wild-type HSC/P. Interestingly, while Ccl4 expression is practically undetectable in wild-type or Sqstm1-/- Ob, primary Ob co-cultured with wild-type BM-derived MΦ strongly upregulate Ccl4 expression, which returns to normal levels upon genetic deletion of Ob Sqstm1. We discovered that MΦ can activate an inflammatory pathway in wild-type Ob which include upregulation of activated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK), IκB kinase (IKK), nuclear factor (NF)-κB and Ccl4 expression through direct cell-to-cell interaction. Sqstm1-/- Ob cocultured with MΦ strongly upregulated p-IKBα and NF-κB activity, downregulated Ccl4 expression and secretion and repressed osteogenesis. Forced expression of Sqstm1, but not of an oligomerization-deficient mutant, in Sqstm1-/- Ob restored normal levels of p-IKBα, NF-κB activity, Ccl4 expression and osteogenic differentiation, indicating that Sqstm1 dependent Ccl4 expression depends on localization to the autophagosome formation site. Finally, Ob Sqstm1 deficiency results in upregulation of Nbr1, a protein containing a PB1 interacting domain. Combined deficiency of Sqstm1 and Nbr1 rescues all in vivo and in vitro phenotypes of Sqstm1 deficiency related to osteogenesis and HSC/P egression in vivo. Together, this data indicated that Sqstm1 oligomerization and functional repression of its PB1 binding partner Nbr1 are required for Ob dependent Ccl4 production and HSC/P retention, resulting in a functional signaling network affecting at least three cell types. A functional ‘MΦ-Ob niche’ is required for HSC/P retention where Ob Sqstm1 is a negative regulator of MΦ dependent Ob NF-κB activation, Ob differentiation and BM HSC/P traffic to circulation. Disclosures Starczynowski: Celgene: Research Funding. Cancelas:Cerus Co: Research Funding; P2D Inc: Employment; Terumo BCT: Research Funding; Haemonetics Inc: Research Funding; MacoPharma LLC: Research Funding; Therapure Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion: Research Funding; New Health Sciences Inc: Consultancy.


Author(s):  
Elena Campione ◽  
Roberta Gaziano ◽  
Elena Doldo ◽  
Daniele Marino ◽  
Mattia Falconi ◽  
...  

AIM: Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen and causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), with high mortality among immunosuppressed patients. Fungistatic activity of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been recently described in vitro. We evaluated the efficacy of ATRA in vivo and its potential synergistic interaction with other antifungal drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model of IPA and in vitro experiments were performed to assess the efficacy of ATRA against Aspergillus in association with classical antifungal drugs and in silico studies used to clarify its mechanism of action. RESULTS: ATRA (0.5 and 1 mM) displayed a strong fungistatic activity in Aspergillus cultures, while at lower concentrations, synergistically potentiated fungistatic efficacy of sub-inhibitory concentration of Amphotericin B (AmB) and Posaconazole (POS). ATRA also enhanced macrophagic phagocytosis of conidia. In a rat model of IPA, ATRA reduced mortality similarly to Posaconazole. CONCLUSION: Fungistatic efficacy of ATRA alone and synergistically with other antifungal drugs was documented in vitro, likely by inhibiting fungal Hsp90 expression and Hsp90-related genes. ATRA reduced mortality in a model of IPA in vivo. Those findings suggest ATRA as suitable fungistatic agent, also to reduce dosage and adverse reaction of classical antifungal drugs, and new therapeutic strategies against IPA and systemic fungal infections.


1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (15) ◽  
pp. 2189-2195 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Huang ◽  
J. Wu ◽  
S. Spong ◽  
D. Sheppard

The integrin alphavbeta6 is expressed on a variety of epithelial cells during dynamic processes including organogenesis, tissue injury and malignant transformation. However, because of the lack of tools to specifically inhibit the function of this integrin, little is known about its effects on cell behavior. To directly examine the role of this integrin in cell migration, we used keratinocytes derived from wild-type mice or mice expressing a null mutation in the beta6 subunit (beta6-/-) to perform migration assays in vitro. Migration on the known alphavbeta6 ligand, fibronectin was reduced in keratinocytes from beta6-/- mice. Interestingly, keratinocytes from beta6-/- mice also demonstrated markedly reduced migration on vitronectin, a protein not previously known to be a ligand for alphavbeta6. An anti-alphavbeta6 monoclonal antibody 10D5, generated by immunization of beta6-/- mice with murine keratinocytes, inhibited adhesion and migration of wild-type keratinocyte on both vitronectin and fibronectin to levels similar to those seen with keratinocytes from beta6-/- mice. alphavbeta6-mediated migration on both ligands was dramatically augmented by treatment with phorbol myrisate acetate (PMA) or with hepatocyte growth factor, and augmentation of migration by either stimulus could be abolished by the PKC inhibitor GF109203X, suggesting a critical role for PKC in enhancement of alphavbeta6-mediated cell migration.


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