scholarly journals Notch-1 Signaling Modulates Macrophage Polarization and Immune Defense against Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis Infection in Inflammatory Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esra’a Keewan ◽  
Saleh A. Naser

Despite the extensive research on Notch signaling involvement in inflammation, its specific role in macrophage response in autoimmune disease and defense mechanisms against bacterial infection, such as Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the molecular role of Notch-1 signaling in the macrophage response during MAP infection. In particular, we measured the in vitro effect of MAP on Notch-1 signaling and downstream influence on interleukin (IL)-6 and myeloid cell leukemia sequence-1 (MCL-1) and consequent cellular apoptosis, MAP viability, and macrophage polarization. Overall, the data show significant upregulation in Notch-1, IL-6, and MCL-1 in MAP-infected macrophages, parallel with a decrease in apoptosis and elevated pro-inflammatory response in these infected cells. On the contrary, blocking Notch signaling with γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) decreased MAP survival and burden, increased apoptosis, and diminished the pro-inflammatory response. In particular, the treatment of infected macrophages with DAPT shifted macrophage polarization toward M2 anti-inflammatory phenotypic response. The outcome of this study clearly demonstrates the critical role of Notch signaling in macrophage response during infection. We conclude that MAP infection in macrophages activates Notch-1 signaling and downstream influence on IL-6 which hijack MCL-1 dependent inhibition of apoptosis leading to its chronic persistence, and further inflammation. This study supports Notch-1 signaling as a therapeutic target to combat infection in autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1086
Author(s):  
Dania AlQasrawi ◽  
Ebraheem Naser ◽  
Saleh A. Naser

Recently, we reported that nicotine plays a role in the failure of the macrophage in the clearance of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) during infection in Crohn’s disease smokers. We also demonstrated that nicotine enhances macrophages cellular survival during MAP infection. Blocking α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) with the pharmacological antagonist—mecamylamine—subverted the anti-inflammatory effect of nicotine in macrophages. Yet, it is still unknown how α7nAChR is involved in the modulation of the macrophage response during MAP infection. Here, we studied the mechanistic role of nicotine-α7nAChR interaction in modulating NF-ĸB survival pathway, autophagy, and effect on cathelicidin production in MAP-infected macrophages using THP-1 cell lines. Our results showed that nicotine upregulated α7nAChR expression by 5-folds during MAP infection compared to controls. Bcl-2 expression was also significantly increased after nicotine exposure. Moreover, Nicotine inhibited autophagosome formation whereas infection with MAP in absence of nicotine has significantly increased LC-3b in macrophages. Nicotine also further upregulated NF-ĸB subunits expression including Rel-B and p100, and increased nuclear translocation of p52 protein. We also discovered that cathelicidin production was significantly suppressed in MAP-infected macrophages, treatment with nicotine showed no effect. Overall, the study provides new insight toward understanding the cellular role of nicotine through α7nAChR/NF-ĸB p100/p52 signaling pathway in inducing anti-apoptosis and macrophage survival during MAP infection in Crohn’s disease smokers.


2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 619-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Rosenfeld ◽  
Brian Bressler

Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis(MAP) is an obligate intracellular organism that has frequently been associated with Crohn’s disease (CD). Because CD is a chronic inflammatory condition, many researchers have speculated that an infectious agent must be the cause of CD. MAP has often been proposed to be one such agent; however, despite considerable research, the evidence remains inconclusive. Higher levels of MAP have been found in the tissues and blood of CD patients than in controls, forming the foundation for much of the research into the role of MAP in CD and the primary argument in support of a causative role for MAP in CD. MAP is a slow-growing and fastidious organism that is difficult to grow in culture and, therefore, challenging to detect in patients. As a result, there has been variability in the results of studies attempting to detect the presence of MAP in CD patients, and considerable controversy over whether this organism has a causative role in the etiology of CD. Two main hypotheses exist with respect to the role of MAP in CD. The first is that MAP is a principal cause of CD, while the second is that MAP is more prevalent because of the immune dysfunction seen in CD but does not play a causative role. Clinicians are often faced with questions regarding the role of this organism and the need to treat it. The present article attempts to provide an overview of the controversy including the nature of the mycobacterium, the difficulty in detecting it, the use of antimycobacterial agents to treat it and the effect of immunosuppressive agents – all from a clinician’s perspective. Although the role of MAP in CD remains controversial and an area of considerable research, it is currently only of academic interest because there is no clinically useful test to identify the presence of the organism, and no evidence to support the use of antibiotics to eradicate it for the treatment of CD.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1044-1044
Author(s):  
Paul Takam Kamga ◽  
Bassi Giulio ◽  
Adriana Cassaro ◽  
Roberta Stradoni ◽  
Martina Midolo ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Our group has recently shown that bone marrow-mesenchymal stromal cell (BM-MSCs)-mediated Notch signaling may control survival and chemoresistance of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. Conversely, the role of Notch signaling in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains controversial, as its contribution to the crosstalk between BM-MSCs and AML cells is still unknown. Thus, we evaluated the role of the Notch pathway in the proliferation, survival and chemoresistance of AML primary blast cells in co-culture with BM-MSCs. Methods: AML blast cells were obtained after informed consent from bone marrow samples (30) and peripheral blood (20) of AML patients, according to the Institutional guidelines. BM-MSCs were expanded from bone marrow of 12 healthy donors (BM-MSCs) and of 12 AML-patients (BM-MSCs*). PCR, FACS analysis and western immunoblotting were used to study the expression of Notch receptors and ligands, as well as Notch activation status, in AML cells and BM-MSCs. AML cells were co-cultured with BM-MSCs or BM-MSCs* at 10:1 (AML:BM-MSCs) ratio for 2 to 3 days in presence of Cytarabine, Etoposide, Idarubicin, as well as in presence or absence of anti-Notch-1, -2, -3, -4, anti-Jagged1, -2 and anti-DLL3 blocking antibodies or gamma secretase inhibitor-XII (GSI-XII). Cell viability was evaluated by Annexin-V/Propidium Iodide (PI) and MTT; proliferation and cell cycle were assessed through CFSE dilution and PI methods, respectively. Results: AML cells expressed Notch receptors and ligands, showing Notch-1, -2, Jagged-1, -2 and DLL-3 signature, while BM-MSCs/ BM-MSCs* showed expression of Notch-1, -2, -3, -4 and Jagged-1, -2 and DLL-1. We then analyzed Notch activation in different cell types by evaluating the expression of NICD-1, -2, -3 as well as Hes-1. We found that at least 50% of AML samples showed basal Notch activation while BM-MSCs/ BM-MSCs* showed slight Notch activation. The expression and activation pattern were modulated after 3 days of co-culture with either BM-MSCs or BM-MSCs*. The pan blockade of Notch signaling by GSI-XII were capable to inhibit AML cell proliferation as well as induce AML cell apoptosis in culture or in co-culture with BM-MSCs/ BM-MSCs*. The addition of chemotherapeutic agents decreased AML cell viability in culture, while a significant rescue from apoptosis was observed when cocultured with BM-MSCs or BM-MSCs*. Pan Notch signaling blockade by either GSI-XII or combination of Notch receptor-blocking antibodies in presence of chemotherapeutic agents significantly lowered the supportive role of BM-MSCs towards AML cell lines. The specific blockade of Notch-1, -2, -3 or Jagged-1, -2 rescued partially the chemosensibility, while blockade of Notch-4 or DLL-3 rescued totally the chemosensitivity of primary AML cells in co-culture with BM-MSCs. Conclusions: These results suggest that Notch signaling may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome bone marrow stromal-mediated survival and chemoresistance of AML. Moreover Notch blocking antibodies were able to impair the survival benefit imparted by bone marrow stromal cells. Therefore blocking Notch antibodies could be a useful strategy to improve the efficiency of AML chemotherapy. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dania AlQasrawi ◽  
Latifa S. Abdelli ◽  
Saleh A. Naser

Cigarette smoke (CS) exacerbates symptoms in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients while protecting those with ulcerative colitis (UC). CD has been associated with immuno-dysregulation, mucosal dysfunction, and infection. Among the CD-debated pathogens are Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), adherent invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The mechanism of how CS modulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-α7 (α7nAChR) and elicits inflammatory response in CD-like macrophages is unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of CS/nicotine on macrophages infected with CD-associated pathogens. We measured apoptosis, bacterial viability, macrophage polarization, and gene expression/cytokine levels involved in macrophage response to nicotine/CS extracts from Havana-Leave extract (HLE-nicotine rich) and germplasm line of Maryland tobacco (LAMD-nicotine less). Nicotine (4 µg/mL) and HLE extracts (0.18%) significantly favored anti-inflammatory response in macrophages (increased CD-206 (M2) and IL-10, and decreased M1/M2 ratio; p < 0.05). While macrophages infected with MAP or treated with LPS promoted pro-inflammatory response. Further treatment of these macrophages with nicotine or HLE extracts caused higher inflammatory response (increased iNOS (M1), TNF-α, IL-6, and M1/M2 ratio, p < 0.05), increased MAP burden, and decreased apoptosis. Pre-conditioning macrophages with nicotine ahead of infection resulted in lower pro-inflammatory response. Blocking α7nAChR with an antagonist voided the effect of nicotine on macrophages. Overall, the study provides an insight toward understanding the contradictory effect of nicotine on Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients and about the mechanistic role of α7nAChR in modulation of macrophages in tobacco smokers.


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