Characterization of rat β-glucan receptor dectin-1

Dectin-1 is a small C-type lectin receptor for fungal cell wall β-glucan. Its homologues in some species, including mouse and human, have been characterized, and their importance in antifungal immunity has also been clarified. However, its homologue in the rat has not yet been identified. In this study, DNA/amino acid sequences of rat dectin-1 were analyzed by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The sequence of rat dectin-1 was found to be highly homologous to that of the mouse. It possesses essential motifs for the recognition of β-glucan and signal transduction. However, the position of the start codon in the detected sequence was not conserved, and its cytoplasmic tail was shorter than that observed in other species. Similar to mouse dectin-1, two major isoforms of rat dectin-1 that were generated by alternative splicing were identified: a full-length isoform and a shorter isoform deficient in the stalk domain. It was also demonstrated that rat dectin-1 is capable of binding fungal β-glucan and activating nuclear factor-kappa B via Syk and the CARD9/Bcl10-mediated pathway. These results suggest that rat dectin-1 also plays essential roles in immune responses against fungi.     

Expression of functionally different dectin-1 isoforms by murine macrophages

Dectin-1 is a specific receptor for beta-glucans and a major receptor for fungal particles on macrophages (Mphi). It is a type II membrane receptor that has a C-terminal, NK-like, C-type lectin-like domain separated from the cell membrane by a short stalk region and a cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation-like motif. We observed functional differences in dectin-1-dependent recognition of fungal particles by Mphi from different mouse strains. RT-PCR analysis revealed that mice have at least two splice forms of dectin-1, generated by differential usage of exon 3, encoding the full-length dectin-1A and a stalkless Mphi dectin-1B. Mphi from BALB/c mice and genetically related mice expressed both isoforms in similar amounts, whereas Mphi from C57BL/6 and related mice mainly expressed the smaller isoform. NIH-3T3 fibroblast and RAW264.7 macrophage cell lines stably expressing either isoform were able to bind and phagocytose zymosan at 37 degrees C. However, binding by the smaller dectin-1B isoform was significantly affected at lower temperatures. These properties were shared by the equivalent human isoforms. The relative ability of each of the isoforms to induce TNF-alpha production in RAW264.7 Mphi was also found to be different. These results are the first evidence that dectin-1 isoforms are functionally distinct and indicate that differential isoform usage may represent a mechanism of regulating cellular responses to beta-glucans.     

Dectin-1 is not required for the host defense to Cryptococcus neoformans

Dectin-1 is known as a sole receptor for beta-glucan, a major cell wall component of fungal microorganisms. In the current study, we examined the role of this molecule in the host defense to Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen in AIDS patients. There was no significant difference in the clinical course and cytokine production between dectin-1 gene-deficient and control mice. These results indicate that dectin-1 is not likely essential for the development of host protective responses to C. neoformans.     

Structure of the fungal beta-glucan-binding immune receptor dectin-1: implications for function

The murine molecule dectin-1 (known as the beta-glucan receptor in humans) is an immune cell surface receptor implicated in the immunological defense against fungal pathogens. Sequence analysis has indicated that the dectin-1 extracellular domain is a C-type lectin-like domain, and functional studies have established that it binds fungal beta-glucans. We report several dectin-1 crystal structures, including a high-resolution structure and a 2.8 angstroms resolution structure in which a short soaked natural beta-glucan is trapped in the crystal lattice. In vitro characterization of dectin-1 in the presence of its natural ligand indicates higher-order complex formation between dectin-1 and beta-glucans. These combined structural and biophysical data considerably extend the current knowledge of dectin-1 structure and function, and suggest potential mechanisms of defense against fungal pathogens.     

Dectin-1 synergizes with TLR2 and TLR4 for cytokine production in human primary monocytes and macrophages

The beta-glucan receptor dectin-1 and Toll-like receptors TLR2 and TLR4 are the main receptors for recognition of Candida albicans by the innate immune system. It has been reported that dectin-1 amplifies TLR2-dependent induction of cytokines in mouse models. In the present study we hypothesized that dectin-1 has potent synergistic effects with both TLR2 and TLR4 in human PBMCs and macrophages. Human PBMCs and monocyte-derived macrophages were stimulated with curdlan, a linear beta-1,3-glucan-polymer derived from Alcaligenes faecalis with specific ligand affinity for dectin-1, in combination with the synthetic TLR2 ligand Pam3Cys and the ultrapure TLR4 ligand LPS. TNF-alpha and IL-10 production was measured in the supernatants with ELISA. Curdlan is a specific dectin-1 ligand without TLR2- or TLR4-stimulating properties. Human primary monocytes and macrophages express dectin-1 on the cell membrane. Stimulation of human PBMCs with curdlan in combination with Pam3Cys or LPS leads to synergistic increase in TNF-alpha production that was inhibited by GE2, a neutralizing dectin-1 antibody. Dectin-1-dependent synergy between curdlan and TLR agonists was also apparent in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Conclusively, dectin-1 synergizes with both TLR2 and TLR4 pathways for the production of TNF-alpha in human primary PBMCs and in monocyte-derived macrophages.     

The beta-glucan receptor dectin-1 recognizes specific morphologies of Aspergillus fumigatus

Alveolar macrophages represent a first-line innate host defense mechanism for clearing inhaled Aspergillus fumigatus from the lungs, yet contradictory data exist as to which alveolar macrophage recognition receptor is critical for innate immunity to A. fumigatus. Acknowledging that the A. fumigatus cell wall contains a high beta-1,3-glucan content, we questioned whether the beta-glucan receptor dectin-1 played a role in this recognition process. Monoclonal antibody, soluble receptor, and competitive carbohydrate blockage indicated that the alveolar macrophage inflammatory response, specifically the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, CXCL2/macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), CCL3/macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and granulocyte monocyte-CSF (GM-CSF), to live A. fumigatus was dependent on recognition via the beta-glucan receptor dectin-1. The inflammatory response was triggered at the highest level by A. fumigatus swollen conidia and early germlings and correlated to the levels of surface-exposed beta glucans, indicating that dectin-1 preferentially recognizes specific morphological forms of A. fumigatus. Intratracheal administration of A. fumigatus conidia to mice in the presence of a soluble dectin-Fc fusion protein reduced both lung proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine levels and cellular recruitment while modestly increasing the A. fumigatus fungal burden, illustrating the importance of beta-glucan-initiated dectin-1 signaling in defense against this pathogen. Collectively, these data show that dectin-1 is centrally required for the generation of alveolar macrophage proinflammatory responses to A. fumigatus and to our knowledge provides the first in vivo evidence for the role of dectin-1 in fungal innate defense.     

Cutting edge: critical role of intracellular osteopontin in antifungal innate immune responses

We found that absence of osteopontin (OPN) in immunocompromised Rag2(-/-) mice, which lack T and B cells, made the mice extremely susceptible to an opportunistic fungus Pneumocystis, although immunocompetent OPN-deficient mice could clear Pneumocystis as well as wild-type mice. OPN has been studied as an extracellular protein, and the role of an intracellular isoform of OPN (iOPN) is still largely unknown. In this study, we elucidated the mechanism by which iOPN was involved in antifungal innate immunity. First, iOPN was essential for cluster formation of fungal receptors that detect Pneumocystis, including dectin-1, TLR2, and mannose receptor. Second, iOPN played a role as an adaptor molecule in TLR2 and dectin-1 signaling pathways and mediated ERK activation and cytokine production by zymosan, which simultaneously activates TLR2 and dectin-1 pathways. Third, iOPN enhanced phagocytosis and clearance of Pneumocystis. Our study suggests the critical involvement of iOPN in antifungal innate immunity.     

Regulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation and cyclooxygenase 2 expression in macrophages by the beta-glucan receptor

Phagocytosis of non-opsonized microorganisms by macrophages initiates innate immune responses for host defense against infection. Cytosolic phospholipase A(2) is activated during phagocytosis, releasing arachidonic acid for production of eicosanoids, which initiate acute inflammation. Our objective was to identify pattern recognition receptors that stimulate arachidonic acid release and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression in macrophages by pathogenic yeast and yeast cell walls. Zymosan- and Candida albicans-stimulated arachidonic acid release from resident mouse peritoneal macrophages was blocked by soluble glucan phosphate. In RAW264.7 cells arachidonic acid release, COX2 expression, and prostaglandin production were enhanced by overexpressing the beta-glucan receptor, dectin-1, but not dectin-1 lacking the cytoplasmic tail. Pure particulate (1, 3)-beta-D-glucan stimulated arachidonic acid release and COX2 expression, which were augmented in a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent manner by macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2. However, arachidonic acid release and leukotriene C(4) production stimulated by zymosan and C. albicans were TLR2-independent, whereas COX2 expression and prostaglandin production were partially blunted in TLR2(-/-) macrophages. Inhibition of Syk tyrosine kinase blocked arachidonic acid release and COX2 expression in response to zymosan, C. albicans, and particulate (1, 3)-beta-D-glucan. The results suggest that cytosolic phospholipase A(2) activation triggered by the beta-glucan component of yeast is dependent on the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-like domain of dectin-1 and activation of Syk kinase, whereas both TLR2 and Syk kinase regulate COX2 expression.     

A novel group of multi-GAP-domain proteins

The Rho GTPase-activating proteins (RhoGAPs) play an essential role in regulating various cellular processes. Rat tGAP1 is the first reported protein that has multiple GAP domains. It is exclusively expressed in male germ cells. However, tGAP1 does not possess GAP activities in vitro. No tGAP1 homology has been identified in other species. In this study, we searched the genomic databases and identified many genes whose protein products possess 2-4 GAP domains in rat, mouse and dog. These genes all showed sequence similarity to tGAP1. The rat tGAP gene loci all locate on chromosome 2 and are all expressed in testes in RT-PCR analysis. The mouse tGAP gene loci also clustered on chromosome 3 but RT-PCR analysis showed most are pseudogene loci. Multiple sequence alignment showed that many conserved residues of the "arginine finger" motif within the GAP domains of predicted tGAP proteins have mutated, suggesting that tGAP proteins do not possess GAP activity. We also elucidated the evolutionary relations among the rat tGAP genes. Based on the phylogenetic analysis data, we proposed that tGAP genes and Arhgap20 genes have a common ancestor.     

Selective C-Rel activation via Malt1 controls anti-fungal T(H)-17 immunity by dectin-1 and dectin-2

C-type lectins dectin-1 and dectin-2 on dendritic cells elicit protective immunity against fungal infections through induction of T(H)1 and T(H)-17 cellular responses. Fungal recognition by dectin-1 on human dendritic cells engages the CARD9-Bcl10-Malt1 module to activate NF-κB. Here we demonstrate that Malt1 recruitment is pivotal to T(H)-17 immunity by selective activation of NF-κB subunit c-Rel, which induces expression of T(H)-17-polarizing cytokines IL-1β and IL-23p19. Malt1 inhibition abrogates c-Rel activation and T(H)-17 immunity to Candida species. We found that Malt1-mediated activation of c-Rel is similarly essential to induction of T(H)-17-polarizing cytokines by dectin-2. Whereas dectin-1 activates all NF-κB subunits, dectin-2 selectively activates c-Rel, signifying a specialized T(H)-17-enhancing function for dectin-2 in anti-fungal immunity by human dendritic cells. Thus, dectin-1 and dectin-2 control adaptive T(H)-17 immunity to fungi via Malt1-dependent activation of c-Rel.     

The Response of Human Macrophages to β-Glucans Depends on the Inflammatory Milieu

Background

β-glucans are fungal cell wall components that bind to the C-type lectin-like receptor dectin-1. Polymorphisms of dectin-1 gene are associated with susceptibility to invasive fungal infection and medically refractory ulcerative colitis. The purpose of this study has been addressing the response of human macrophages to β-glucans under different conditions mimicking the composition of the inflammatory milieu in view of the wide plasticity and large range of phenotypical changes showed by these cells, and the relevant role of dectin-1 in several pathophysiological conditions.

Principal Findings

Serum-differentiated macrophages stimulated with β-glucans showed a low production of TNFα and IL-1β, a high production of IL-6 and IL-23, and a delayed induction of cyclooxygenase-2 and PGE₂ biosynthesis that resembled the responses elicited by crystals and those produced when phagosomal degradation of the phagocytic cargo increases ligand access to intracellular pattern recognition receptors. Priming with a low concentration of LPS produced a rapid induction of cyclooxygenase-2 and a synergistic release of PGE₂. When the differentiation of the macrophages was carried out in the presence of M-CSF, an increased expression of dectin-1 B isoform was observed. In addition, this treatment made the cells capable to release arachidonic acid in response to β-glucan.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the macrophage response to fungal β-glucans is strongly influenced by cytokines and microbial-derived factors that are usual components of the inflammatory milieu. These responses can be sorted into three main patterns i) an elementary response dependent on phagosomal processing of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and/or receptor-independent, direct membrane binding linked to the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-bearing transmembrane adaptor DNAX-activating protein 12, ii) a response primed by TLR4-dependent signals, and iii) a response dependent on M-CSF and dectin-1 B isoform expression that mainly signals through the dectin-1 B/spleen tyrosine kinase/cytosolic phospholipase A₂ route.     

Differential Dependencies of Monocytes and Neutrophils on Dectin-1, Dectin-2 and Complement for the Recognition of Fungal Particles in Inflammation

We have re-investigated the role of the complement system and the non-opsonic pattern recognition receptors dectin-1 and dectin-2 in the recognition of fungal particles by inflammatory neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages. We have used in vivo and ex vivo models to study the recognition and response of these cells: i) We confirm previous observations regarding the importance of complement to neutrophil but not monocytic responses; ii) We show that dectin-1 is important for driving inflammatory cell recruitment to fungal stimuli and that it biases the immediate inflammatory response to one that favors neutrophil over monocyte recruitment; iii) We show that dectin-2 contributes to the physical recognition of fungal particles by inflammatory monocytes/macrophages, but is also expressed on neutrophils, where we show it has the potential to contribute to cellular activation; iv) Additionally, we show that serum-opsonization has the potential to interfere with non-opsonic recognition of fungal particles by dectin-1 and dectin-2, presumably through masking of ligands. Collectively these roles are consistent with previously described roles of dectin-1 and dectin-2 in driving inflammatory and adaptive immune responses and complement in containing fungal burdens. This study emphasizes the importance of heterogeneity of receptor expression across myeloid cell subsets in protective immune responses.     

Neurospora crassa FKS protein binds to the (1,3)beta-glucan synthase substrate,UDP-glucose

The essential fungal cell-wall polymer (1,3)beta-glucan is synthesized by the enzyme (1,3)beta-glucan synthase. This enzyme, which is the target of the echinocandin and pneumocandin families of fungicidal antibiotics, is a complex composed of at least two proteins, Rho1p and Fks1p. Homologs of the yeast FKS1 gene have been discovered in numerous fungi, and existing evidence points to, but has not yet proved, Fks1p being the catalytic subunit of (1,3)beta-glucan synthase. We have purified (1,3)beta-glucan synthase from Neurospora crassa approximately 400-fold enrichment and labeled the substrate-binding protein by using a UDP-glucose analog, 5-azido-[beta-(32)P]-UDP-glucose. UDP-glucose-binding proteins were photo-crosslinked to the substrate analog and identified from SDS-PAGE gels by Quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry by sequencing the tryptic peptides. Two plasma membrane proteins were labeled FKS and H(+)-ATPase. These results suggest that FKS appears to be the substrate-binding subunit of (1,3)beta-glucan synthase.     

人和大鼠自噬相关新基因WIPI- 3 的电子克隆和序列分析

目的：人和大鼠WIPI-3基因的电子克隆和序列分析。方法：综合运用基因电子拼接和比较基因组分析等生物信息学手段进行新基因的电子克隆和注释。通过拼接CR593190、NM 019613和BC00097 cDNA序列获得人WIPI-3 cDNA全长序列,通过拼接EST序列CB727439、CB737031、BF557312、BG663387和预测的CDS获得大鼠WIPI3基因的cDNA序列。结果：成功克隆了人和大鼠自噬相关新基因WIPI-3的cDNA,上述两个新基因序列均得到了人类基因组序列和EST序列的双重支持,另外经RT-PCR验证电子克隆的基因序列也是正确的,而且序列均已被GenBank收录,其编号分别为：AM182326和NM-001039587。其中,人WIPI-3基因修正了目前基因库中注释的WIPI-3序列,而大鼠基因则是国际上首次克隆,井被确定为参考序列。结论：基因电子拼接结合种属同源基因比较分析,可大大提高电子克隆的精确性,这种方法可有效用于新基因的克隆和注释。     

Fungal recognition enhances mannose receptor shedding through dectin-1 engagement

The mannose receptor (MR) is an endocytic type I membrane molecule with a broad ligand specificity that is involved in both hemostasis and pathogen recognition. Membrane-anchored MR is cleaved by a metalloproteinase into functional soluble MR (sMR) composed of the extracellular domains of intact MR. Although sMR production was initially considered a constitutive process, enhanced MR shedding has been observed in response to the fungal pathogen Pneumocystis carinii. In this work, we have investigated the mechanism mediating enhanced MR shedding in response to fungi. We show that other fungal species, including Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, together with zymosan, a preparation of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mimic the effect of P. carinii on sMR production and that this effect takes place mainly through β-glucan recognition. Additionally, we demonstrate that MR cleavage in response to C. albicans and bioactive particulate β-glucan requires expression of dectin-1. Our data, obtained using specific inhibitors, are consistent with the canonical Syk-mediated pathway triggered by dectin-1 being mainly responsible for inducing MR shedding, with Raf-1 being partially involved. As in the case of steady-state conditions, MR shedding in response to C. albicans and β-glucan particles requires metalloprotease activity. The induction of MR shedding by dectin-1 has clear implications for the role of MR in fungal recognition, as sMR was previously shown to retain the ability to bind fungal pathogens and can interact with numerous host molecules, including lysosomal hydrolases. Thus, MR cleavage could also impact on the magnitude of inflammation during fungal infection.     

Innate antifungal immunity of human eosinophils mediated by a beta 2 integrin, CD11b

Eosinophils produce and release various proinflammatory mediators and also show immunomodulatory and tissue remodeling functions; thus, eosinophils may be involved in the pathophysiology of asthma and other eosinophilic disorders as well as host defense. Several major questions still remain. For example, how do human eosinophils become activated in diseased tissues or at the site of an immune response? What types of host immunity might potentially involve eosinophils? Herein, we found that human eosinophils react vigorously to a common environmental fungus, Alternaria alternata, which is implicated in the development and/or exacerbation of human asthma. Eosinophils release their cytotoxic granule proteins, such as eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and major basic protein, into the extracellular milieu and onto the surface of fungal organisms and kill the fungus in a contact-dependent manner. Eosinophils use their versatile beta(2) integrin molecule, CD11b, to adhere to a major cell wall component, beta-glucan, but eosinophils do not express other common fungal receptors, such as dectin-1 and lactosylceramide. The I-domain of CD11b is distinctively involved in the eosinophils' interaction with beta-glucan. Eosinophils do not react with another fungal cell wall component, chitin. Because human eosinophils respond to and kill certain fungal organisms, our findings identify a previously unrecognized innate immune function for eosinophils. This immune response by eosinophils may benefit the host, but, in turn, it may also play a role in the development and/or exacerbation of eosinophil-related allergic human diseases, such as asthma.     

Molecular cloning of rat and mouse membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46): preferential expression in testis and close linkage between the mouse Mcp and Cr2 genes on distal chromosome 1

 Human membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46) is widely distributed and is one of the plasma membrane complement inhibitors. We isolated cDNA clones encoding genetic homologues of human MCP from a rat testis cDNA library. Northern blot analysis indicated that rat MCP is preferentially expressed in testis, similar to what is found with guinea pig MCP. We identified several different cDNAs, which were presumably generated by alternative splicing from a single-copy gene. The most prevalent isoform corresponded to the Ser/Thr/Pro-rich C type of human MCP. Mouse MCP cDNA was cloned by polymerase chain reaction based on the nucleotide sequence of rat MCP. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 77.8% identity to rat MCP. Mouse MCP was also preferentially expressed in testis. Unique expression in testis in rat and mouse as well as guinea pig suggests that MCPs in these species not only act as complement regulatory proteins but may also have more specialized functions in fertilization or reproduction. Genetic mapping by linkage analysis indicated that the mouse Mcp gene is located on distal chromosome 1, closely linked to the complement receptor 2 (Cr2) gene. Received: 24 February 1998 / Revised: 11 May 1998