A model of TLR4 signaling and tolerance using a qualitative, particle-event-based method: introduction of spatially configured stochastic reaction chambers (SCSRC)

Introduction

There have been great advances in the examination and characterization of intracellular signaling and synthetic pathways. However, these pathways are generally represented using static diagrams when in reality they exist with considerable dynamic complexity. In addition to the expansion of existing mathematical pathway representation tools (many utilizing systems biology markup language format), there is a growing recognition that spatially explicit modeling methods may be necessary to capture essential aspects of intracellular dynamics. This paper introduces spatially configured stochastic reaction chambers (SCSRC), an agent-based modeling (ABM) framework that incorporates an abstracted molecular ‘event’ rule system with a spatially explicit representation of the relationship between signaling and synthetic compounds. Presented herein is an example of the SCSRC as applied to Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling and the inflammatory response.

Methods

The underlying rationale for the architecture of the SCSRC is described. A SCSRC model of TLR-4 signaling was developed after a review of the literature regarding TLR-4 signaling and downstream synthetic events. The TLR-4 SCSRC was implemented in the free-ware software platform, Netlogo. A series of in silico experiments were performed to evaluate the response of the TLR-4 SCSRC with respect to response to simulated administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The pro-inflammatory response was represented by simulated secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Subsequent in silico experiments examined the response to of the TLR-4 SCSRC in terms of a simulated preconditioning effect represented as tolerance of pro-inflammatory signaling to a second dose of LPS.

Results

The SCSRC produces simulated dynamics of TLR-4 signaling in response to LPS stimulation that are qualitatively similar to that reported in the literature. The expression of various components of the signaling cascade demonstrated stochastic noise, consistent with molecular expression data reported in the literature. There is a dose dependent pro-inflammatory response effect seen with increasing initial doses of LPS, and there was also a dose dependent response with respect to preconditioning effect and the establishment of tolerance. Both of these dynamics are consistent with published responses to LPS.

Conclusions

The particle-based, spatially oriented SCSRC model of TLR-4 signaling captures the essential dynamics of the TLR-4 signal transduction cascade, including stochastic signal behavior, dose dependent response, negative feedback control, and preconditioning effect. This is accomplished even given a high degree of molecular event abstraction. The component detail of the SCSRC may allow for sequential parsing of various preconditioning effects, something not possible without computational modeling and simulation, and may give insight into the expected consequences and responses resulting from manipulation of one or many of these modulating factors. The SCSRC is admittedly a work in evolution, and future work will sequentially incorporate additional regulatory mechanisms, both intracellular and paracrine/autocrine, and improved mapping between the spatial chamber configuration and molecular event rules, and experimentally define biochemical reaction rate constants. However, the SCSRC has promise as a highly modular and flexible modeling method that is suited to the dynamic knowledge representation of intracellular processes.     

Application of a TLR overexpression cell model in pyrogen detection

Pyrogens are components derived from microorganisms that induce complex inflammatory responses. Current approaches to detect pyrogens are complex and difficult to replicate, thus there is a need for new methods to detect pyrogens. We successfully constructed a pyrogen-sensitive cell model by overexpressing Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, MD2, and CD14 in HEK293 cells. Since the cytokine IL-6 is specifically released upon stimulation of the TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways in response to pyrogen stimulation, we used it as a read out for our assay. Our results show that IL-6 is released in response to trace amounts of pyrogens in our cell model. Pyrogen incubation times and concentrations were explored to determine the sensitivity of our cell model, and was found to be sensitive to 0.05 EU/ml of LPS and 0.05 ug/ml of LTA after stimulation for 5 hr. Our TLR overexpressing cell model, with IL-6 as readout, could be a new method for in vitro testing of pyrogens and applicable for evaluating the safety of drugs.     

Selective suppression of Toll-like receptor 4 activation by chemokine receptor 4

The response of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is thought vital for resisting infection. Since aberrant TLR4 signaling may initiate inflammatory conditions such as the sepsis syndrome, we sought a component of normal cells that might provide local control of TLR4 activation. We found that antibodies that block chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) function enhanced TLR4 signaling, while increased expression of CXCR4 or addition of the CXCR4 ligand SDF-1 suppressed TLR4 signaling induced by LPS. These findings suggest that CXCR4 could exert local control of TLR4 and suggest the possibility of new therapeutic approaches to suppression of TLR4 function.     

Tollip regulates proinflammatory responses to interleukin-1 and lipopolysaccharide

Activation of interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor (IL-1R), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and TLR4 triggers NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent signaling, thereby initiating immune responses. Tollip has been implicated as a negative regulator of NF-kappaB signaling triggered by these receptors in in vitro studies. Here, deficient mice were used to determine the physiological contribution of Tollip to immunity. NF-kappaB, as well as MAPK, signaling appeared normal in Tollip-deficient cells stimulated with IL-1beta or the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Similarly, IL-1beta- and TLR-driven activation of dendritic cells and lymphocytes was indistinguishable from wild-type cells. In contrast, the production of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha was significantly reduced after IL-1beta and LPS treatment at low doses but not at lethal doses of LPS. Tollip therefore controls the magnitude of inflammatory cytokine production in response to IL-1beta and LPS.     

Retinal cell type‐specific prevention of ischemia‐induced damages by LPS‐TLR4 signaling through microglia

Reprogramming of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) by brief ischemia or lipopolysacharide (LPS) contributes to superintending tolerance against destructive ischemia in brain. However, beneficial roles of TLR4 signaling in ischemic retina are not well known. This study demonstrated that preconditioning with LPS 48 h prior to the retinal ischemia prevents the cellular damage in morphology with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and functions of retina with electroretinogram (ERG), while post‐ischemia treatment deteriorated it. The preventive effects of LPS preconditioning showed the cell type‐specificity of retinal cells. There was complete rescue of ganglion cells, partial rescue of bipolar and photoreceptor cells or no rescue of amacrine cells, respectively. LPS treatment caused the proliferation and migration of retinal microglia and its preconditioning prevented the ischemia‐induced microglial activation. Preventive actions from cell damages following LPS preconditioning prior to retinal ischemia were abolished in TLR4 knock‐out mice, and by pre‐treatments with anti‐TLR4 antibody or minocycline, a microglia inhibitor, which themselves had no effects on the retinal ischemia‐induced damages or microglia activation. Thus, this study revealed that TLR4 mediates the LPS preconditioning‐induced preventive effects through microglial activation in the retinal ischemia model.     

Membrane-anchored CD14 is required for LPS-induced TLR4 endocytosis in TLR4/MD-2/CD14 overexpressing CHO cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces inflammatory activation through TLR4 (toll-like receptor-4)/MD-2 (myeloid differentiation-2)/CD14 (cluster of differentiation-14) complex. Although optimal LPS signaling is required to activate our innate immune systems against gram-negative bacterium, excessive amount of LPS signaling develops a detrimental inflammatory response in gram-negative bacterial infections. Downregulation of surface TLR4 expression is one of the critical mechanisms that can restrict LPS signaling. Here, we found that membrane-anchored CD14 is required for LPS-induced downregulation of TLR4 and MD-2 in CHO cells. Moreover, pretreatment of the cells with sterol-binding agent filipin reduced LPS-induced TLR4 downregulation, suggesting the involvement of caveolae-mediated endocytosis pathway. Involvement of caveolae in LPS-induced TLR4 endocytosis was further confirmed by immunoprecipitation. Thus, our data indicate that caveolae-dependent endocytosis pathway is involved in LPS-induced TLR4 downregulation and that this is dependent on membrane-anchored CD14 expression.     

Structural insights into pharmacophore-assisted in silico identification of protein–protein interaction inhibitors for inhibition of human toll-like receptor 4 – myeloid differentiation factor-2 (hTLR4−MD-2) complex

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a member of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) family that serves as a receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TLR4 alone cannot recognize LPS without aid of co-receptor myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2). Binding of LPS with TLR4 forms a LPS?TLR4?MD-2 complex and directs downstream signaling for activation of immune response, inflammation and NF-κB activation. Activation of TLR4 signaling is associated with various pathophysiological consequences. Therefore, targeting protein–protein interaction (PPI) in TLR4?MD-2 complex formation could be an attractive therapeutic approach for targeting inflammatory disorders. The aim of present study was directed to identify small molecule PPI inhibitors (SMPPIIs) using pharmacophore mapping-based approach of computational drug discovery. Here, we had retrieved the information about the hot spot residues and their pharmacophoric features at both primary (TLR4?MD-2) and dimerization (MD-2?TLR4*) protein–protein interaction interfaces in TLR4?MD-2 homo-dimer complex using in silico methods. Promising candidates were identified after virtual screening, which may restrict TLR4?MD-2 protein–protein interaction. In silico off-target profiling over the virtually screened compounds revealed other possible molecular targets. Two of the virtually screened compounds (C11 and C15) were predicted to have an inhibitory concentration in μM range after HYDE assessment. Molecular dynamics simulation study performed for these two compounds in complex with target protein confirms the stability of the complex. After virtual high throughput screening we found selective hTLR4?MD-2 inhibitors, which may have therapeutic potential to target chronic inflammatory diseases.     

Optimization and anti-inflammatory evaluation of methyl gallate derivatives as a myeloid differentiation protein 2 inhibitor

Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) is a co-receptor of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) responsible for the recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and mediates a series of TLR4-dependent inflammatory responses in inflammatory lung diseases including acute lung injury (ALI). Targeting MD2 thus may provide a therapeutic strategy against these lung diseases. In this study, we identified a novel compound 4k with the potent anti-inflammatory activity among 39 methyl gallate derivatives (MGDs). MGD 4k exhibited a high binding affinity to MD2, which in turn prevented the formation of the LPS/MD2/TLR4 complex. In addition, MGD 4k significantly reversed the upregulation of LPS-induced inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, MGD 4k performed anti-inflammatory function by inactivating JNK, ERK and p38 signaling pathways. Taken together, our study identified MGD 4k as a novel potential therapeutic agent for ALI through inhibiting MD2, inflammatory responses, and major inflammation-associated signaling pathways.     

The Early Induction of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 and the Downregulation of Toll-like Receptors 7 and 9 Induce Tolerance in Costimulated Macrophages

Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 9 transduce a cellular signal through the MyD88-dependent pathway and induce the production of inflammatory mediators against microbial nucleotide components. The repeated stimulation of TLR4 leads to endotoxin tolerance, but the molecular mechanisms of tolerance induced through the costimulation of individual TLR has not yet been established, although endosomal TLRs share signaling pathways with TLR4. In the present study, mouse macrophages were simultaneously stimulated with the TLR7 agonist, gardiquimod (GDQ), and the TLR9 agonist, CpG ODN 1826, to examine the mechanism and effector functions of macrophage tolerance. Compared with individual stimulation, the costimulation of both TLRs reduced the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 through the delayed activation of the NF-κB pathway; notably, IL-10 remained unchanged in costimulated macrophages. This tolerance reflected the early induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), according to the detection of elevated TNF-α secretion and restored NF-κB signaling in response to the siRNA-mediated abrogation of SOCS-1 signaling. In addition, the restimulation of each TLRs using the same ligand significantly reduced the expression of both TLRs in endosomes. These findings revealed that the costimulation of TLR7 and TLR9 induced macrophage tolerance via SOCS-1, and the restimulation of each receptor or both TLR7 and TLR9 downregulated TLR expression through a negative feedback mechanisms that protects the host from excessive inflammatory responses. Moreover, the insufficient and impaired immune response in chronic viral infection might also reflect the repeated and simultaneous stimulation of those endosomal TLRs.     

14-3-3? and 14-3-3σ Inhibit Toll-like Receptor (TLR)-mediated Proinflammatory Cytokine Induction

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of pattern recognition receptors that play a crucial role in the induction of the innate immune response against bacterial and viral infections. TLR3 has emerged as a key sensor of viral double-stranded RNA. Thus, a clearer understanding of the biological processes that modulate TLR3 signaling is essential. Limited studies have applied proteomics toward understanding the dynamics of TLR signaling. Herein, a proteomics approach identified 14-3-3ϵ and 14-3-3σ proteins as new members of the TLR signaling complex. Toward the functional characterization of 14-3-3ϵ and 14-3-3σ in TLR signaling, we have shown that both of these proteins impair TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7/8, and TLR9 ligand-induced IL-6, TNFα, and IFN-β production. We also show that 14-3-3ϵ and 14-3-3σ impair TLR2-, TLR3-, TLR4-, TLR7/8-, and TLR9-mediated NF-κB and IFN-β reporter gene activity. Interestingly, although the 14-3-3 proteins inhibit poly(I:C)-mediated RANTES production, 14-3-3 proteins augment Pam₃CSK₄, LPS, R848, and CpG-mediated production of RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) in a Mal (MyD88 adaptor-like)/MyD88-dependent manner. 14-3-3ϵ and 14-3-3σ also bind to the TLR adaptors and to both TRAF3 and TRAF6. Our study conclusively shows that 14-3-3ϵ and 14-3-3σ play a major regulatory role in balancing the host inflammatory response to viral and bacterial infections through modulation of the TLR signaling pathway. Thus, manipulation of 14-3-3 proteins may represent novel therapeutic targets for inflammatory conditions and infections.     

Lipopolysaccaride induces autophagic signaling in macrophages via a TLR4, heme oxygenase-1 dependent pathway

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is an important part of the innate immune response. One of the downstream responses to TLR4 signaling upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation is the induction of autophagy, which is a key response to multiple stressors. An additional adaptive signaling molecule that is involved in the response to stress is heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). HO-1 signaling is essential to limit inflammation and restore homeostasis. We found that LPS induced autophagic signaling in macrophages via a TLR4, HO-1 dependent pathway in macrophages. These data add to the developing contribution of autophagic signaling as part of the inflammatory response.     

IL-6 trans-signaling modulates TLR4-dependent inflammatory responses via STAT3

Innate immune responses triggered by the prototypical inflammatory stimulus LPS are mediated by TLR4 and involve the coordinated production of a multitude of inflammatory mediators, especially IL-6, which signals via the shared IL-6 cytokine family receptor subunit gp130. However, the exact role of IL-6, which can elicit either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses, in the pathogenesis of TLR4-driven inflammatory disorders, as well as the identity of signaling pathways activated by IL-6 in a proinflammatory state, remain unclear. To define the contribution of gp130 signaling events to TLR4-driven inflammatory responses, we combined genetic and therapeutic approaches based on a series of gp130(F/F) knock-in mutant mice displaying hyperactivated IL-6-dependent JAK/STAT signaling in an experimental model of LPS/TLR4-mediated septic shock. The gp130(F/F) mice were markedly hypersensitive to LPS, which was associated with the specific upregulated production of IL-6, but not TNF-α. In gp130(F/F) mice, either genetic ablation of IL-6, Ab-mediated inhibition of IL-6R signaling or therapeutic blockade of IL-6 trans-signaling completely protected mice from LPS hypersensitivity. Furthermore, genetic reduction of STAT3 activity in gp130(F/F):Stat3(+/-) mice alleviated LPS hypersensitivity and reduced LPS-induced IL-6 production. Additional genetic approaches demonstrated that the TLR4/Mal pathway contributed to LPS hypersensitivity and increased IL-6 production in gp130(F/F) mice. Collectively, these data demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that IL-6 trans-signaling via STAT3 is a critical modulator of LPS-driven proinflammatory responses through cross-talk regulation of the TLR4/Mal signaling pathway, and potentially implicate cross-talk between JAK/STAT and TLR pathways as a broader mechanism that regulates the severity of the host inflammatory response.     

The molecular mechanisms of the effect of Dexamethasone and Cyclosporin A on TLR4 /NF-κB signaling pathway activation in oral lichen planus

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling transduction pathway play important roles in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases, but its function in oral lichen planus (OLP) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB-p65 and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β by immunohistochemistry in OLP tissues, and found that TLR4 and NF-κB-p65 were significantly upregulated in OLP compared to normal oral mucosa (P<0.05). We used keratinocytes HaCaT stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate the local OLP immune environment to some extent. RT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses showed significant activation of TLR4 and NF-κB-p65 in the circumstance of LPS-induced inflammatory response. The high expression of TLR4 and NF-κB-p65 are correlated with expression of cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05). We further showed that NF-κB could act as an anti-apoptotic molecule in OLP. We conclude that TLR4 and the NF-κB signaling pathway may interact with the perpetuation of OLP. Steroids and cyclosporine are effective in the treatment of symptomatic OLP. However, there was some weak evidence for the mechanism over Dexamethasone (DeX) and Cyclosporine A (CsA) for the palliation of symptomatic OLP. In the present study, we found that Dexamethasone and Cyclosporine A negatively regulated NF-κB signaling pathway under LPS simulation in HaCaT cells by inhibiting TLR4 expression, on the other hand, Cyclosporine A could inhibit HaCaT cell proliferation by the induction of the apoptosis of HaCaT cells to protect OLP from the destruction of epidermal cells effectively.     

Palmitate and Lipopolysaccharide Trigger Synergistic Ceramide Production in Primary Macrophages

Macrophages play a key role in host defense and in tissue repair after injury. Emerging evidence suggests that macrophage dysfunction in states of lipid excess can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and may underlie inflammatory complications of diabetes. Ceramides are sphingolipids that modulate a variety of cellular responses including cell death, autophagy, insulin signaling, and inflammation. In this study we investigated the intersection between TLR4-mediated inflammatory signaling and saturated fatty acids with regard to ceramide generation. Primary macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not produce C16 ceramide, whereas palmitate exposure led to a modest increase in this sphingolipid. Strikingly, the combination of LPS and palmitate led to a synergistic increase in C16 ceramide. This response occurred via cross-talk at the level of de novo ceramide synthesis in the ER. The synergistic response required TLR4 signaling via MyD88 and TIR-domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon beta (TRIF), whereas palmitate-induced ceramide production occurred independent of these inflammatory molecules. This ceramide response augmented IL-1β and TNFα release, a process that may contribute to the enhanced inflammatory response in metabolic diseases characterized by dyslipidemia.     

Humanized TLR4/MD-2 Mice Reveal LPS Recognition Differentially Impacts Susceptibility to Yersinia pestis and Salmonella enterica

Although lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation through the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4/MD-2 receptor complex activates host defense against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, how species-specific differences in LPS recognition impact host defense remains undefined. Herein, we establish how temperature dependent shifts in the lipid A of Yersinia pestis LPS that differentially impact recognition by mouse versus human TLR4/MD-2 dictate infection susceptibility. When grown at 37°C, Y. pestis LPS is hypo-acylated and less stimulatory to human compared with murine TLR4/MD-2. By contrast, when grown at reduced temperatures, Y. pestis LPS is more acylated, and stimulates cells equally via human and mouse TLR4/MD-2. To investigate how these temperature dependent shifts in LPS impact infection susceptibility, transgenic mice expressing human rather than mouse TLR4/MD-2 were generated. We found the increased susceptibility to Y. pestis for “humanized” TLR4/MD-2 mice directly paralleled blunted inflammatory cytokine production in response to stimulation with purified LPS. By contrast, for other Gram-negative pathogens with highly acylated lipid A including Salmonella enterica or Escherichia coli, infection susceptibility and the response after stimulation with LPS were indistinguishable between mice expressing human or mouse TLR4/MD-2. Thus, Y. pestis exploits temperature-dependent shifts in LPS acylation to selectively evade recognition by human TLR4/MD-2 uncovered with “humanized” TLR4/MD-2 transgenic mice.     

PECAM-1 ligation negatively regulates TLR4 signaling in macrophages

Uncontrolled TLR4 signaling may induce excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines and lead to harmful inflammation; therefore, negative regulation of TLR4 signaling attracts much attention now. PECAM-1, a member of Ig-ITIM family, can mediate inhibitory signals in T cells and B cells. However, the role and the mechanisms of PECAM-1 in the regulation of TLR4-mediated LPS response in macrophages remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that PECAM-1 ligation with CD38-Fc fusion protein negatively regulates LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IFN-beta production by inhibiting JNK, NF-kappaB, and IFN regulatory factor 3 activation in macrophages. In addition, PECAM-1 ligation-recruited Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) and Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP-2) may be involved in the inhibitory effect of PECAM-1 on TLR4 signaling. Consistently, silencing of PECAM-1 enhances the macrophage response to LPS stimulation. Taken together with the data that PECAM-1 is constitutively expressed in macrophages and its expression is up-regulated by LPS stimulation, PECAM-1 might function as a feedback negative regulator of LPS inflammatory response in macrophages. This study may provide a potential target for intervention of inflammatory diseases.     

Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone down-regulates MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling by inhibiting endotoxin-induced trafficking of TLR4 to lipid rafts

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a lethal clinical syndrome characterized by the activation of macrophages and the increased production of inflammatory mediators. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHDC), a widely-used low caloric artificial sweetener against FHF. An FHF experimental model was established in mice by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (d-GalN) (400 mg/kg)/lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (10 μg/kg). Mice were orally administered NHDC for 6 continuous days and at 1 h before d-GalN/LPS administration. RAW264.7 macrophages were used as an in vitro model. Cells were pre-treated with NHDC for 1 h before stimulation with LPS (10 μg/ml) for 6 h. d-GalN/LPS markedly increased the serum transaminase activities and levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers, which were significantly attenuated by NHDC. Mechanistic analysis indicated that NHDC inhibited LPS-induced myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TIR-containing adapter molecule (TRIF)-dependent signaling. Transient transfection of TLR4 or MyD88 siRNA inhibited the downstream inflammatory signaling. This effect could also be achieved by the pretreatment with NHDC. The fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry results suggested that NHDC potently inhibited the binding of LPS to TLR4 in RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, the inhibitory effect of NHDC on LPS-induced translocation of TLR4 into lipid raft domains played an important role in the amelioration of production of downstream pro-inflammatory molecules. Furthermore, the activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) by NHDC inhibited TLR4 signaling. In conclusion, our results suggest that NHDC attenuates d-GalN/LPS-induced FHF by inhibiting the TLR4-mediated inflammatory pathway, demonstrating a new application of NHDC as a hepatoprotective agent.