The essentiality of PKCalpha and PKCbetaI translocation for CD14+monocyte differentiation towards macrophages and dendritic cells, respectively

Human peripheral CD14(+)monocytes have been known to differentiate into monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) or dendritic cells (MoDCs) upon suitable stimulation. However, the key intracellular molecule(s) associated with their differentiation towards specific cell types was(were) not fully understood. This study was designated to determine the association of PKC isoenzymes with the differentiation of CD14(+)monocytes into MDMs or MoDCs. Purified human peripheral CD14(+)monocytes were cultured with GM-CSF, or GM-CSF plus IL-4 for 7 days to induce cell differentiation. The phenotypic changes were analyzed by Flow-Cytometry using various specific antibodies to cell type-specific surface markers. The immunological functions of these differentiated cells were determined by measuring the amounts of TNF-alpha secretion for MDMs, and the capacities of antigen-capturing and bacterial phagocytosis for MoDCs. The translocations of PKC isoenzymes in these cells from cytosol to plasma membrane were examined by Western Blot analysis and Confocal Microscopic observation. The treatment of CD14(+)monocytes with either GM-CSF or PMA elicited PKCalpha translocation and consequently induced their differentiation into MDMs. The inclusion of PKCalpha/beta(I) specific inhibitor, Go6976, greatly inhibited the GM-CSF-induced PKCalpha translocation and dose-dependently reduced the GM-CSF- induced MDM differentiation. On the other hand, the simultaneous pretreatment of CD14(+)monocytes with Go6976 and PKCbeta-specific inhibitor predominantly suppressed the GM-CSF/IL-4-induced generation of MoDCs. Further study demonstrated that GM-CSF/IL-4 selectively induced the translocation of PKCbeta(I), not PKCalpha or PKCbeta(II), in CD14(+)monocytes. In conclusion, the cell fate commitment of CD14(+)monocytes towards MDMs or MoDCs appears to be steered by the selective activation of PKCalpha or PKCbeta(I), respectively.     

人CD14基因的克隆及序列测定

采用PCR技术,从佛波酯乙醇刺激的HL-60细胞基因组DNA中扩增获得了1.1 kb的人CD14基因.序列分析表明,有四个碱基发生了突变,其中两处为首次报道.     

重组人可溶性CD14在昆虫细胞表达系统中的表达

BAC-TO-BAC杆状病毒表达系统是一种快速、高效、便捷的表达系统.将人可溶性CD14(sCD14)基因克隆入pFASTBAC1转移质粒中,重组质粒转化DH10BAC感受态细胞,目的基因通过同源重组插入BacmidDNA中,后者转染sf21昆虫细胞获得重组杆状病毒.利用重组蛋白C-末端的6×His@Tag,经TALON金属螯合色谱将重组病毒感染昆虫细胞获得的无血清培养上清--步纯化得到重组蛋白,计算表明从1L培养基中可纯化到约8mg纯度大于95%的重组sCD14蛋白,免疫印迹结果表明重组蛋白具有与抗6×His单抗和抗CD14单抗结合的抗原性.疑胶迁移实验和细胞活性实验表明重组sCD14蛋白能在体外与LPS结合,并能增强LPS诱导THP-1细胞产生细胞毒性因子.     

The ATP binding cassette transporter A1 contributes to the secretion of interleukin 1beta from macrophages but not from monocytes

Deficiency of ABCA1 causes high density lipoprotein deficiency and macrophage foam cell formation in Tangier disease. ABCA1 was also postulated to mediate the secretion of IL-1beta from monocytes and macrophages. We investigated the contribution of ABCA1 to IL-1beta secretion from human monocytes and macrophages of normal donors and Tangier disease patients. Neither an anti-ABCA1 antisense oligonucleotide nor ABCA1 deficiency interfered with LPS-induced secretion of IL-1beta from full blood or freshly isolated monocytes. By contrast, anti-ABCA1 antisense oligonucleotides decreased the LPS-induced secretion of IL-beta from macrophages by 30-50%. The secretion of the precursor pro-IL-1beta and TNFalpha was not inhibited. Compared to normal macrophages, LPS-stimulated Tangier disease macrophages secreted less IL-1beta relative to TNFalpha. Also the spontaneous secretion of IL-1beta by Tangier macrophages was lower than by control cells. We conclude that IL-1beta is secreted from monocytes by an ABCA1-independent pathway and from macrophages by ABCA1-dependent and -independent pathways.     

Induction of human beta-defensin-2 expression in human astrocytes by lipopolysaccharide and cytokines

Defensins are cationic peptides with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. They are members of a supergene family consisting of alpha and beta subtypes and each subtype is comprised of a number of different isoforms. For example, human alpha-defensin (HAD) has six isoforms, which are expressed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and Paneth cells. In contrast, human beta-defensin (HBD) has two isoforms that are expressed by epithelial cells of the skin, gut, respiratory and urogenital tracts. Recently, HBD-1 was detected in human brain biopsy tissue. However, little is known about the expression of HBD-1 or HBD-2 in the CNS and whether neural cells can secrete these peptides. For the present study, human astrocyte, microglial, meningeal fibroblast and neuronal cultures were probed for the expression of HBD-1 and HBD-2 mRNA and protein. Each cell type was either maintained in tissue culture medium alone or in medium containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 microgram/mL, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) at 1-50 ng/mL, or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) at the same concentrations. The expression of HBD-1 and HBD-2 mRNAs was monitored by RT-PCR. The cDNA products were sequenced to characterize the gene product. HBD-2 protein was detected by immunoblot, immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry. Results of these studies showed that HBD-1 mRNA was detected in all cell cultures except in those enriched for neurons. In contrast, HBD-2 mRNA was detected only in astrocyte cultures that were treated with LPS, IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. The detection of the respective proteins correlated positively with the mRNA results. As such, these data represent the first demonstration of HBD-2 expression by astrocytes and suggest that this peptide may play a role in host defense against bacterial CNS pathogenesis.     

急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织TOLL样受体4及CD14mRNA的表达

目的 探讨内毒素致急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织TOLL样受体4及CD14 mRNA表达的变化.方法 24只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为2组:对照组、LPS模型组,每组再分为4 h和8 h两个亚组.尾静脉注射脂多糖(LPS)(10 mg/kg)建立大鼠急性肺损伤模型.检测大鼠动脉血气、肺体指数,实时荧光定量PCR测定肺组织TOLL样受体4及CD14 mRNA的表达,并观察肺组织病理变化.结果 与对照组相比,模型组4 h和8 h时大鼠肺组织中的TLR4及CD14 mRNA表达均显著增高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).病理学观察显示,模型组大鼠肺组织出现出血及坏死.结论 内毒素致急性肺损伤的发病机制可能与TLR4及CD14 mRNA的表达升高有关.     

Differentiation of human peripheral blood monocytes to macrophages is associated with changes in the cellular respiratory burst activity.

When phagocytic leukocytes, e.g. neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages, interact with soluble or particulate stimuli, the cells respond with an increased production of reactive oxygen metabolites. This production can be measured with the luminol-amplified chemiluminescence (CL) technique. In the present study, the CL reaction induced in monocyte-derived macrophages was investigated and compared to the responses of neutrophils and monocytes. In systems without additives the CL response of macrophages to soluble stimuli (FMLP, PMA and ionomycin) was very low. Addition of a peroxidase (HRP) to the reaction mixtures resulted in a pronounced increase in CL activity. The cellular CL response in macrophages is thus limited by the amount of peroxidase available. The macrophage response differs qualitatively from the responses of neutrophils and monocytes, in that the intracellular phase of the response is missing.     

Diverging pathways for lipopolysaccharide and CD14 in human monocytes

BACKGROUND: CD14 is considered to be the major endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) binding molecule on human monocytes. It initiates cellular response, but its role in the clearance of LPS is not well understood. Under conditions that ensure totally CD14-dependent LPS binding on human monocytes, the internalization mechanisms of LPS and CD14 were studied. METHODS: The uptake and intracellular distribution of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-LPS and CD14 was determined by flow cytometry, trypan blue quenching, and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Incubation of surface-biotinylated cells with LPS at 37 degrees C or 4 degrees C and subsequent subfractionation was used to further characterize CD14 internalization. The amount of the intracellular CD14 was estimated by CD14 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The internalization rate of 10 ng/ml FITC-LPS with 1% human serum was 1% of bound endotoxin per minute, whereas CD14 expression did not decrease at the same time surface. We proved the presence of an intracellular CD14 pool (2.68 x 10(6) molecules per unstimulated monocyte) and could show that internalized FITC-LPS molecules can be found in different intracellular compartments than CD14. Subfractionation of LPS-treated biotinylated monocytes showed no change in biotinylated CD14 in the membrane fraction independently of the incubation temperature (37 degrees C or at 4 degrees C) used, indicating that these CD14 molecules were not taken up by an active process. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate the presence of a large intracellular CD14 pool in monocytes with a yet unknown function, and suggest that LPS and CD14 molecules can be internalized independently after association on the cell surface.     

Low-frequency electromagnetic fields do not alter responses of inflammatory genes and proteins in human monocytes and immune cell lines

The effects of low frequency electromagnetic fields (LF EMF) on human health are the subject of on-going research and serious public concern. These fields potentially elicit small effects that have been proposed to have consequences, either positive or negative, for biological systems. To reveal potentially weak but biologically relevant effects, we chose to extensively examine exposure of immune cells to two different signals, namely a complex multiple waveform field, and a 50 Hz sine wave. These immune cells are highly responsive and, in vivo, modulation of cytokine expression responses can result in systemic health effects. Using time course experiments, we determined kinetics of cytokine and other inflammation-related genes in a human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, and primary monocytes and macrophages. Moreover, cytokine protein levels in THP-1 monocytes were determined. Exposure to either of the two signals did not result in a significant effect on gene and protein expression in the studied immune cells. Also, additional experiments using non-immune cells showed no effects of the signals on cytokine gene expression. We therefore conclude that these LF EMF exposure conditions are not expected to significantly modulate innate immune signaling.     

Hepcidin expression by human monocytes in response to adhesion and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Background

A previous urine proteomic analysis from our laboratory suggested that hepcidin may be a biomarker for lupus nephritis flare. Immunohistochemical staining of kidney biopsies from lupus patients showed that hepcidin was expressed by infiltrating renal leukocytes. Here we investigated whether inflammatory cytokines relevant to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and other glomerular diseases regulate hepcidin expression by human monocytes.

Methods

Human CD14+ monocytes were incubated with interferon alpha (IFNα), interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin-6 (IL6), interleukin-1 beta (IL1β), monocyte chemotactic factor-1 (MCP1), or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Hepcidin expression was examined by real-time PCR and enzyme immunoassay.

Results

Monocyte hepcidin mRNA increased during adherence to the tissue culture wells, reaching a level 150-fold higher than baseline within 12 h of plating. After accounting for the effects of adhesion, monocytes showed time and dose-dependent up-regulation of hepcidin mRNA upon treatment with IFNα or IL6. One hour of incubation with IFNα or IL6 increased hepcidin mRNA 20 and 80-fold, respectively; by 24 h the mRNA remained 5- and 2.4-fold higher than baseline. IL1β, IFNγ, and MCP-1 did not affect monocyte hepcidin expression. TNFα inhibited hepcidin induction by IL6 in monocytes by 44%. After 24 h of treatment with IFNα or IL6, immunoreactive hepcidin production by monocytes increased 3- and 2.6-fold, respectively.

Conclusion

Human monocytes produce hepcidin in response to adhesion and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNα and IL6.

General significance

The appearance of hepcidin in the kidneys or urine during glomerular diseases may be from infiltrating monocytes induced to express hepcidin by adherence and exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines found in the renal milieu.     

可溶性CD14基因克隆及序列分析

针对人可溶性CD14(sCD14）的cDNA序列设计引物,通过反转录PCR技术,从U937细胞中,扩增出编码人可溶性CD14的基因序列,并将其克隆至质粒pGEM－T中,通过PCR、酶切及序列测定鉴定重组载体。结果表明获得了人可溶性CD14基因片段,为下一步进行CD14表达及生物学活性研究奠定了基础。     

Participation of CD14 in the Phagocytosis of Smooth-Type Salmonella typhimurium by the Macrophage-Like Cell Line,J774.1

The role of CD14 in the phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms was investigated using macrophage-like cell lines, CD14-positive J774.1 cells and CD14-negative mutant J7.DEF3 cells derived from J744.1 cells. The cells were infected with Salmonella typhimurium organisms of the smooth (S)-form LT2, mutant rough (R)-form TV148 or Staphylococcus aureus 248βH. At 30 or 180 min incubation, the cells were washed and disrupted. Colony-forming units (CFUs) liberated from the disrupted cells were determined by quantitative cultivation, and the phagocytic index and killing rate were calculated. Both the phagocytic index and killing rate of J774.1 cells against LT2 organisms were greater than those of J7.DEF.3 cells. However, the index and rate of J774.1 cells against TV148 and 248βH organisms were similar to those of the J7.DEF.3 cells. The phagocytosis of LT2 organisms by J774.1 cells was partially inhibited by S-form LPS (S-LPS) and anti-CD14 antibody, but not by R-chemotype LPS (R-LPS). These results suggest that CD14 participates in the phagocytosis of S-form Salmonella.     

Immunodetection of lipopolysaccharide in macrophages during the processing of non invasive Shigella dysenteriae

The location of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy in macrophages infected with a non-invasive Shigella dysenteriae 1 strain. Bacterial degradation began only 3 h after the end of infection. The first visible sign of degradation was detected by immunogold labelling at the level of LPS which detached from the bacterial surface and was transferred to the perinuclear lysosomes. After a few hours, it was found in small vesicles spread over the whole macrophage cytoplasm in which it remained visible for 72 h. These vesicles seemed to belong to a compartment in which slowly or non-degradable compounds are stored. LPS separation from the bacterial surface was immediately followed by the degradation of the intrabacterial constituents. The long lag period observed before initiation of bacterial degradation was not due to a lack of phagosome acidification, since DAMP, a lysosomotropic drug was found in all phagosomes at the end of the ingestion period. The frequency of phagosome-lysosome fusion was 30% for S dysenteriae and 72% for B subtilis used as a reference of high fusion frequency. The low frequency of fusion of S dysenteriae may play an important role in the survival of the virulent strains in macrophage by providing bacteria enough time to lyse the phagosome membrane before lysosome fusion occurs.     

Proinflammatory cytokines secreted by monocytes of filarial patients.

The levels of interleukin 1, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secreted by the monocytes of filarial patients, such as asymptomatic microfilaremics (MF), chronic pathology (CP), and normal individuals, residing in a Wuchereria bancrofti endemic area (EN) in response to whole Brugia malayi antigen (BmA) and Setaria digitata (Sd-cuticular) and a recombinant filarial antigen (pRJ51) were studied. Stimulation of peripheral blood adherent cells with whole parasite antigen showed marked increase in IL-1 levels in MF as compared to CP or EN. The recombinant antigen stimulation, however, resulted in similar levels of IL-1 in MF and CP. In contrast, stimulation of peripheral blood adherent cells with whole parasite antigen produced high levels of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha in CP as opposed to MF or EN. Recombinant antigen stimulation, however, produced high levels of GM-CSF in EN as compared to MF or CP, while no significant change in the release of TNF-alpha was observed in these patients. These results suggest that monocytes from filarial patients exhibit functional activity similar to that observed by the monocytes of endemic normals (control group).     

CD14 major role during lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in chick embryo cardiomyocytes

CD14 is a surface differentiation antigen that functions as a receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The cellular signaling events that lead to lipopolysaccharide-induced production of inflammatory mediators are the primary cause of myocardial dysfunction observed in sepsis. Here, we evaluated the role of CD14 in chick embryo cardiomyocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. CD14 expression was detected by confocal laser microscopy observation and by immunoblotting analysis. Moreover, we provided evidence for CD14-dependent functional responses of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cardiomyocytes in terms of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) production. Attenuated TNF-alpha and NO secretion, following anti-CD14 treatment of cardiomyocytes, suggested a role for this receptor in lipopolysaccharide-mediated cell responses. We also evidenced that labeled lipopolysaccharide was internalized and localized next to the Golgi complex, at the level of lysosomes, and in the perinuclear zone. The intracytoplasmatic transport seems to depend on the contractile apparatus, because cell pretreatment with cytochalasin D prevented lipopolysaccharide internalization and reduced both TNF-alpha and NO release. Lipopolysaccharide internalization was dependent on CD14 receptor, since anti-CD14 pre-treatment prevented endotoxin uptake by cardiomyocytes. Results demonstrated: (1) CD14 is expressed on the surface membrane of cardiomyocytes; (2) CD14 is involved in cytoskeletal dependent lipopolysaccharide internalization at specific cytoplasmatic locations; (3) CD14 plays a role in lipopolysaccharide-mediated responses by cardiomyocytes after lipopolysaccharide internalization.     

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection promotes differentiation and polarization of monocytes into tumor-associated macrophages

Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) promote angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis, and suppression of anti-tumor immunity. These myeloid cells originate from monocytes, which differentiate into TAMs upon exposure to the local tumor microenvironment. We previously reported that Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) infection of endothelial cells induces the cytokine angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) to promote migration of monocytes into tumors. Here we report that KSHV infection of endothelial cells induces additional cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) that drive monocytes to differentiate and polarize into TAMs. The KSHV-induced TAMs not only express TAM-specific markers such as CD-163 and legumain (LGMN) but also display a gene expression profile with characteristic features of viral infection. More importantly, KSHV-induced TAMs enhance tumor growth in nude mice. These results are consistent with the strong presence of TAMs in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumors. Therefore, KSHV infection of endothelial cells generates a local microenvironment that not only promotes the recruitment of monocytes but also induces their differentiation and polarization into TAMs. These findings reveal a new mechanism of KSHV contribution to KS tumor development.