IL-4 inhibits the expression of mouse formyl peptide receptor 2, a receptor for amyloid beta1-42, in TNF-alpha-activated microglia

Microglia are phagocytic cells in the CNS and actively participate in proinflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases. We have previously shown that TNF-alpha up-regulated the expression of formyl peptide receptor 2 (mFPR2) in mouse microglial cells, resulting in increased chemotactic responses of such cells to mFPR2 agonists, including amyloid beta1-42 (Abeta42), a critical pathogenic agent in Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we found that IL-4, a Th2-type cytokine, markedly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced expression of mFPR2 in microglial cells by attenuating activation of ERK and p38 MAPK as well as NF-kappaB. The effect of IL-4 was not dependent on Stat6 but rather required the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as demonstrated by the capacity of PP2A small interfering RNA to reverse the effect of IL-4 in TNF-alpha-activated microglia. Since both IL-4 and TNF-alpha are produced in the CNS under pathophysiological conditions, our results suggest that IL-4 may play an important role in the maintenance of CNS homeostasis by limiting microglial activation by proinflammatory stimulants.     

Impaired IFN-gamma-dependent inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes overexpressing the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1

Receptors for the bacterial chemotactic peptide fMLP are implicated in inflammation and host defense against microbial infection. We investigated the expression and function of fMLPR in microglial cells, which share characteristics of mononuclear phagocytes and play an important role in proinflammatory responses in the CNS. The expression of the genes encoding formyl peptide receptor (FPR)1 and FPR2, the high- and low-affinity fMLPR, was detected in a murine microglial cell line N9, but these cells did not respond to chemotactic agonists known for these receptors. N9 cells incubated with bacterial LPS increased the expression of fMLPR genes and developed a species of specific, but low-affinity, binding sites for fMLP, in association with marked calcium mobilization and chemotaxis responses to fMLP in a concentration range that typically activated the low-affinity receptor FPR2. In addition, LPS-treated N9 cells were chemoattracted by two FPR2-specific agonists, the HIV-1 envelope-derived V3 peptide, and the 42 aa form of the amyloid beta peptide which is a pathogenic agent in Alzheimer's disease. Primary murine microglial cells also expressed FPR1 and FPR2 genes, but similar to N9 cells, exhibited FPR2-mediated activation only after LPS treatment. In contrast to its effect on the function of FPR2, LPS reduced N9 cell binding and biological responses to the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha. Thus, LPS selectively modulates the function of chemoattractant receptors in microglia and may promote host response in inflammatory diseases in the CNS.     

Role of very-late antigen-4 (VLA-4) in myelin basic protein-primed T cell contact-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines in microglial cells

The presence of neuroantigen-primed T cells recognizing self-myelin antigens within the CNS is necessary for the development of demyelinating autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of myelin basic protein (MBP)-primed T cells in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in microglial cells. MBP-primed T cells alone induced specifically the microglial expression of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1alpha tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6, proinflammatory cytokines that are primarily involved in the pathogenesis of MS. This induction was primarily dependent on the contact between MBP-primed T cells and microglia. The activation of microglial NF-kappaB and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) by MBP-primed T cell contact and inhibition of contact-mediated microglial expression of proinflammatory cytokines by dominant-negative mutants of p65 and C/EBPbeta suggest that MBP-primed T cells induce microglial expression of cytokines through the activation of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta. In addition, we show that MBP-primed T cells express very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), and functional blocking antibodies to alpha4 chain of VLA-4 (CD49d) inhibited the ability of MBP-primed T cells to induce microglial proinflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, the blocking of VLA-4 impaired the ability of MBP-primed T cells to induce microglial activation of only C/EBPbeta but not that of NF-kappaB. This study illustrates a novel role of VLA-4 in regulating neuroantigen-primed T cell-induced activation of microglia through C/EBPbeta     

Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 on microglia promotes cell uptake of Alzheimer disease-associated amyloid beta peptide

The human G-protein-coupled formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) and its mouse homologue mFPR2 mediate the chemotactic activity of a variety of polypeptides associated with inflammation and bacterial infection, including the 42-amino acid form of amyloid beta peptide (Abeta42), a pathogenic factor in Alzheimer disease. Because mFPR2 was inducible in mouse microglial cells by proinflammatory stimulants, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, a ligand for the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), we investigated the role of TLR2 in the regulation of mFPR2. We found that a TLR2 agonist, peptidoglycan (PGN) derived from Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, induced considerable mFpr2 mRNA expression in a mouse microglial cell line and primary microglial cells. This was associated with a markedly increased chemotaxis of the cells in response to mFPR2 agonist peptides. In addition, activation of TLR2 markedly enhanced mFPR2-mediated uptake of Abeta42 by microglia. Studies of the mechanistic basis showed that PGN activates MAPK and IkappaBalpha, and the effect of PGN on induction of mFPR2 was dependent on signaling pathways via ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs. The use of TLR2 on microglial cells by PGN was supported by the fact that N9 cells transfected with short interfering RNA targeting mouse TLR2 failed to show increased expression of functional mFPR2 after stimulation with PGN. Our results demonstrated a potentially important role for TLR2 in microglial cells of promoting cell responses to chemoattractants produced in lesions of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases in the brain.     

Induction of the formyl peptide receptor 2 in microglia by IFN-gamma and synergy with CD40 ligand

Human formyl peptide receptor (FPR)-like 1 (FPRL1) and its mouse homologue mFPR2 are functional receptors for a variety of exogenous and host-derived chemotactic peptides, including amyloid beta 1-42 (Abeta(42)), a pathogenic factor in Alzheimer's disease. Because mFPR2 in microglial cells is regulated by proinflammatory stimulants including TLR agonists, in this study we investigated the capacity of IFN-gamma and the CD40 ligand (CD40L) to affect the expression and function of mFPR2. We found that IFN-gamma, when used alone, induced mFPR2 mRNA expression in a mouse microglial cell line and primary microglial cells in association with increased cell migration in response to mFPR2 agonists, including Abeta(42). IFN-gamma also increased the endocytosis of Abeta(42) by microglial cells via mFPR2. The effect of IFN-gamma on mFPR2 expression in microglial cells was dependent on activation of MAPK and IkappaB-alpha. IFN-gamma additionally increased the expression of CD40 by microglial cells and soluble CD40L significantly promoted cell responses to IFN-gamma during a 6-h incubation period by enhancing the activation of MAPK and IkappaB-alpha signaling pathways. We additionally found that the effect of IFN-gamma and its synergy with CD40L on mFPR2 expression in microglia was mediated in part by TNF-alpha. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma and CD40L, two host-derived factors with increased concentrations in inflammatory central nervous system diseases, may profoundly affect microglial cell responses in the pathogenic process in which mFPR2 agonist peptides are elevated.     

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 exerts protective and pathogenic cell type-specific effects in Alzheimer's disease

The proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) are a novel family of G protein-coupled receptors, and their effects in neurodegenerative diseases remain uncertain. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder defined by misfolded protein accumulation with concurrent neuroinflammation and neuronal death. We report suppression of proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) expression in neurons of brains from AD patients, whereas PAR2 expression was increased in proximate glial cells, together with up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and reduced IL-4 expression (p < 0.05). Glial PAR2 activation increased expression of formyl peptide receptor-2 (p < 0.01), a cognate receptor for a fibrillar 42-aa form of beta-amyloid (Abeta(1-42)), enhanced microglia-mediated proinflammatory responses, and suppressed astrocytic IL-4 expression, resulting in neuronal death (p < 0.05). Conversely, neuronal PAR2 activation protected human neurons against the toxic effects of Abeta(1-42) (p < 0.05), a key component of AD neuropathogenesis. Amyloid precursor protein-transgenic mice, displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein and IL-4 induction (p < 0.05) in the absence of proinflammatory gene up-regulation and neuronal injury, whereas PAR2 was up-regulated at this early stage of disease progression. PAR2-deficient mice, after hippocampal Abeta(1-42) implantation, exhibited enhanced IL-4 induction and less neuroinflammation (p < 0.05), together with improved neurobehavioral outcomes (p < 0.05). Thus, PAR2 exerted protective properties in neurons, but its activation in glia was pathogenic with secretion of neurotoxic factors and suppression of astrocytic anti-inflammatory mechanisms contributing to Abeta(1-42)-mediated neurodegeneration.     

Regulation of microglial activities by glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor

Much attention has been paid to the ability of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to protect neurons from neurotoxic insults in the central nervous system (CNS). However, little is known about GDNF action on CNS glia that also can express GDNF receptor systems. In this study, we examined the effects of GDNF on primary rat microglia that function as resident macrophages in the CNS and as the source of proinflammatory mediators upon activation. We found that treatment of primary rat microglia with GDNF had no effect on the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), but it increased the nitric oxide (NO) production to some extent. In addition, GDNF increased the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the gene expression of surface antigen intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the production of the integrin alpha5 subunit, and the phagocytotic capability in primary rat microglia. Furthermore, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (Erk-MAPK) in the mouse microglial cell line BV2 by U0126 indicated that the MAP kinase signaling pathway may be involved in the regulation of NO and integrin alpha5 production by GDNF. In vivo evidence also showed that amoeboid cells with integrin alpha5 or with ED1 immunoreactivity appeared in GDNF-treated spinal cord tissues at the lesion site 1 week post spinal cord injury (SCI). Furthermore, inhibition of Erk-MAPK in the mouse microglial cell line BV2 by U0126 indicated that the MAP kinase signaling pathway may be involved in the regulation of NO and integrin alpha5 production by GDNF. Taken together, our results indicate that GDNF has a positive regulatory effect on microglial activities, such as phagocytosis and the upregulation of adhesion molecules.     

β2-adrenergic receptor activation prevents rodent dopaminergic neurotoxicity by inhibiting microglia via a novel signaling pathway

The role of the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) in the regulation of chronic neurodegenerative inflammation within the CNS is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine neuroprotective effects of long-acting β2AR agonists such as salmeterol in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Results showed salmeterol exerted potent neuroprotection against both LPS and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity both in primary neuron-glia cultures (at subnanomolar concentrations) and in mice (1-10 μg/kg/day doses). Further studies demonstrated that salmeterol-mediated neuroprotection is not a direct effect on neurons; instead, it is mediated through the inhibition of LPS-induced microglial activation. Salmeterol significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of microglial proinflammatory neurotoxic mediators, such as TNF-α, superoxide, and NO, as well as the inhibition of TAK1-mediated phosphorylation of MAPK and p65 NF-κB. The anti-inflammatory effects of salmeterol required β2AR expression in microglia but were not mediated through the conventional G protein-coupled receptor/cAMP pathway. Rather, salmeterol failed to induce microglial cAMP production, could not be reversed by either protein kinase A inhibitors or an exchange protein directly activated by cAMP agonist, and was dependent on β-arrestin2 expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that administration of extremely low doses of salmeterol exhibit potent neuroprotective effects by inhibiting microglial cell activation through a β2AR/β-arrestin2-dependent but cAMP/protein kinase A-independent pathway.     

CD40 expression by microglial cells is required for their completion of a two-step activation process during central nervous system autoimmune inflammation

Microglial cells are monocytic lineage cells that reside in the CNS and have the capacity to become activated during various pathological conditions. Although it was demonstrated that activation of microglial cells could be achieved in vitro by the engagement of CD40-CD40L interactions in combination with proinflammatory cytokines, the exact factors that mediate activation of microglial cells in vivo during CNS autoimmunity are ill-defined. To investigate the role of CD40 in microglial cell activation during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we used bone marrow chimera mice that allowed us to distinguish microglial cells from peripheral macrophages and render microglial cells deficient in CD40. We found that the first step of microglial cell activation was CD40-independent and occurred during EAE onset. The first step of activation consisted of microglial cell proliferation and up-regulation of the activation markers MHC class II, CD40, and CD86. At the peak of disease, microglial cells underwent a second step of activation, which was characterized by a further enhancement in activation marker expression along with a reduction in proliferation. The second step of microglial cell activation was CD40-dependent and the failure of CD40-deficient microglial cells to achieve a full level of activation during EAE was correlated with reduced expansion of encephalitogenic T cells and leukocyte infiltration in the CNS, and amelioration of clinical symptoms. Thus, our findings demonstrate that CD40 expression on microglial cells is necessary to complete their activation process during EAE, which is important for disease progression.     

Role of the toll-like receptor 4 in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.

Microglial activation is a key feature in Alzheimer's disease and is considered to contribute to progressive neuronal injury by release of neurotoxic products. The innate immune receptor Toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4), localized on the surface of microglia, is a first-line host defense receptor against invading microorganisms. Here, we show that a spontaneous loss-of-function mutation in the Tlr4 gene strongly inhibits microglial and monocytic activation by aggregated Alzheimer amyloid peptide resulting in a significantly lower release of the inflammatory products IL-6, TNFalpha and nitric oxide. Treatment of primary murine neuronal cells with supernatant of amyloid peptide-stimulated microglia demonstrates that Tlr4 contributes to amyloid peptide-induced microglial neurotoxicity. In addition, stimulation experiments in transfected HEK293 cells allowed to define a tri-molecular receptor complex consisting of TLR4, MD-2 and CD14 necessary for full cellular activation by aggregated amyloid peptide. A clinical relevance of these findings is supported by a marked upregulation of Tlr4 mRNA in APP transgenic mice and by an increased expression of TLR4 in Alzheimer's disease brain tissue associated with amyloid plaque deposition. Together, these observations provide the first evidence for a role of the key innate immune receptor, TLR4, in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.     

Myelin basic protein-primed T cells of female but not male mice induce nitric-oxide synthase and proinflammatory cytokines in microglia: implications for gender bias in multiple sclerosis

Females are more susceptible than males to multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the underlying mechanism behind this gender difference is poorly understood. Because the presence of neuroantigen-primed T cells within the CNS is necessary for the development of MS, the present study was undertaken to investigate the activation of microglia by myelin basic protein (MBP)-primed T cells of male, female, and castrated male mice. Interestingly, MBP-primed T cells isolated from female and castrated male but not from male mice induced the expression of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-1alpha, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in microglia by cell-cell contact. Again there was no apparent defect in male microglia, because MBP-primed T cells isolated from female and castrated male but not male mice were capable of inducing the production of NO in male primary microglia. Inhibition of female T cell contact-mediated microglial expression of proinflammatory molecules by dominant-negative mutants of p65 and C/EBPbeta suggest that female MBP-primed T cells induce microglial expression of proinflammatory molecules through the activation of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta. Interestingly, MBP-primed T cells of male, female, and castrated male mice were able to induce microglial activation of NF-kappaB. However, MBP-primed T cells of female and castrated male but not male mice induced microglial activation of C/EBPbeta. These studies suggest that microglial activation of C/EBPbeta but not NF-kappaB by T cell:microglial contact is a gender-specific event and that male MBP-primed T cells are not capable of inducing microglial expression of proinflammatory molecules due to their inability to induce the activation of C/EBPbeta in microglia. This novel gender-sensitive activation of microglia by neuroantigen-primed T cell contact could be one of the mechanisms behind the female-loving nature of MS.     

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) attenuates infrasound-induced neuronal impairment by inhibiting microglia-mediated inflammation

Infrasound, a kind of common environmental noise and a major contributor of vibroacoustic disease, can induce the central nervous system (CNS) damage. However, no relevant anti-infrasound drugs have been reported yet. Our recent studies have shown that infrasound resulted in excessive microglial activation rapidly and sequential inflammation, revealing a potential role of microglia in infrasound-induced CNS damage. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major bioactive component in green tea, has the capacity of protecting against various neurodegenerative diseases via an anti-inflammatory mechanism. However, it is still unknown to date whether EGCG acts on infrasound-induced microglial activation and neuronal damage. We showed that, after 1-, 2- or 5-day exposure of rats to 16 Hz, 130 dB infrasound (2 h/day), EGCG significantly inhibited infrasound-induced microglial activation in rat hippocampal region, evidenced by reduced expressions of Iba-1 (a marker for microglia) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α). Moreover, infrasound-induced neuronal apoptosis in rat hippocampi was significantly suppressed by EGCG. EGCG also inhibited infrasound-induced activation of primary microglia in vitro and decreased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the supernatants of microglial culture, which were toxic to cultured neurons. Furthermore, EGCG attenuated infrasound-induced increases in nuclear NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated IκBα, and ameliorated infrasound-induced decrease in IκB in microglia. Therefore, our study provides the first evidence that EGCG acts against infrasound-induced neuronal impairment by inhibiting microglia-mediated inflammation through a potential NF-κB pathway-related mechanism, suggesting that EGCG can be used as a promising drug for the treatment of infrasound-induced CNS damage.     

Annexin A1: a central player in the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective role of microglia

The brain microenvironment is continuously monitored by microglia with the detection of apoptotic cells or pathogens being rapidly followed by their phagocytosis to prevent inflammatory responses. The protein annexin A1 (ANXA1) is key to the phagocytosis of apoptotic leukocytes during peripheral inflammatory resolution, but the pathophysiological significance of its expression in the CNS that is restricted almost exclusively to microglia is unclear. In this study, we test the hypothesis that ANXA1 is important in the microglial clearance of apoptotic neurons in both noninflammatory and inflammatory conditions. We have identified ANXA1 to be sparingly expressed in microglia of normally aged human brains and to be more strongly expressed in Alzheimer's disease. Using an in vitro model comprising microglial and neuronal cell lines, as well as primary microglia from wild-type and ANXA1 null mice, we have identified two distinct roles for microglial ANXA1: 1) controlling the noninflammatory phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons and 2) promoting resolution of inflammatory microglial activation. In particular, we showed that microglial-derived ANXA1 targets apoptotic neurons, serving as both an "eat me" signal and a bridge between phosphatidylserine on the dying cell and formyl peptide receptor 2 on the phagocytosing microglia. Moreover, inflammatory activation of microglia impairs their ability to discriminate between apoptotic and nonapoptotic cells, an ability restored by exogenous ANXA1. We thus show that ANXA1 is fundamental for brain homeostasis, and we suggest that ANXA1 and its peptidomimetics can be novel therapeutic targets in neuroinflammation.     

GM-CSF production by autoreactive T cells is required for the activation of microglial cells and the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a CNS autoimmune disease believed to be triggered by T cells secreting Th1-specific proinflammatory cytokines, such as GM-CSF. In the animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), Th1 but not Th2 cells have been shown to induce disease; however, to date, no single encephalitogenic T cell-derived cytokine has been shown to be required for EAE onset. Because GM-CSF-deficient mice have been shown to be resistant to EAE following immunization with myelin self-Ag, we investigated the cellular source of the required GM-CSF and found that GM-CSF production by encephalitogenic T cells, but not CNS resident or other peripheral cells, was required for EAE induction. Furthermore, we showed that microglial cell activation, but not peripheral macrophage activation, was a GM-CSF-dependent process. Activation of microglial cells by the injection of LPS abrogated the GM-CSF requirement for EAE induction, suggesting that microglial cell activation is required for EAE onset. These data also demonstrate that GM-CSF is a critical Th1 cell-derived cytokine required for the initiation of CNS inflammation associated with EAE, and likely MS.     

S. aureus-dependent microglial activation is selectively attenuated by the cyclopentenone prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Delta12,14- prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2)

Microglial activation is a hallmark of brain abscess. The continual release of proinflammatory mediators by microglia following bacterial challenge may contribute, in part, to the destruction of surrounding normal tissue characteristic of brain abscess. Therefore, attenuating chronic microglial activation during the course of CNS bacterial infections may have therapeutic benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the natural peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist 15-deoxy-Delta12,14- prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) to modulate microglial activation in response to Staphylococcus aureus, one of the main etiologic agents of brain abscess in humans. 15d-PGJ2 was a potent inhibitor of proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-12 p40) and CC chemokine (MIP-1beta, MCP-1) production in primary microglia, but had no effect upon the expression of select CXC chemokines (MIP-2, KC). 15d-PGJ2 also selectively inhibited the S. aureus-dependent increase in microglial TLR2, CD14, MHC class II, and CD40 expression, whereas it had no effect on the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. Microarray analysis revealed additional inflammatory mediators modulated by 15d-PGJ2 in primary microglia following S. aureus exposure, the majority of which were chemokines. These results suggest that suppressing microglial activation through the use of 15d-PGJ2 may lead to the sparing of damage to normal brain parenchyma that often results from brain abscess.     

Neuropeptide Y inhibits interleukin-1 beta-induced microglia motility

Increasing evidences suggest that neuropeptide Y (NPY) may act as a key modulator of the cross-talk between the brain and the immune system in health and disease. In the present study, we dissected the possible inhibitory role of NPY upon inflammation-associated microglial cell motility. NPY, through activation of Y(1) receptors, was found to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglia (N9 cell line) motility. Moreover, stimulation of microglia with LPS was inhibited by IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), suggesting the involvement of endogenous interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in this process. Direct stimulation with IL-1β promoted downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mobilization and increased microglia motility. Moreover, consistently, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibition decreased the extent of actin filament reorganization occurring during plasma membrane ruffling and p38 phosphorylation was inhibited by NPY, involving Y(1) receptors. Significantly, the key inhibitory role of NPY on LPS-induced motility of CD11b-positive cells was further confirmed in mouse brain cortex explants. In summary, we revealed a novel functional role for NPY in the regulation of microglial function that may have important implications in the modulation of CNS injuries/diseases where microglia migration/motility might play a role.