IL-4 pretreatment selectively enhances cytokine and chemokine production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages

Although well recognized for its anti-inflammatory effect on gene expression in stimulated monocytes and macrophages, IL-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine that has also been shown to enhance TNF-alpha and IL-12 production in response to stimulation with LPS. In the present study we expand these prior studies in three areas. First, the potentiating effect of IL-4 pretreatment is both stimulus and gene selective. Pretreatment of mouse macrophages with IL-4 for a minimum of 6 h produces a 2- to 4-fold enhancement of LPS-induced expression of several cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, and KC, but inhibits the production of IL-12p40. In addition, the production of TNF-alpha by macrophages stimulated with IFN-gamma and IL-2 is inhibited by IL-4 pretreatment, while responses to both LPS and dsRNA are enhanced. Second, the ability of IL-4 to potentiate LPS-stimulated cytokine production appears to require new IL-4-stimulated gene expression, because it is time dependent, requires the activation of STAT6, and is blocked by the reversible protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide during the IL-4 pretreatment period. Finally, IL-4-mediated potentiation of TNF-alpha production involves specific enhancement of mRNA translation. Although TNF-alpha protein is increased in IL-4-pretreated cells, the level of mRNA remains unchanged. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha mRNA is selectively enriched in actively translating large polyribosomes in IL-4-pretreated cells compared with cells stimulated with LPS alone.     

IL-10-independent STAT3 activation by Toxoplasma gondii mediates suppression of IL-12 and TNF-alpha in host macrophages

Infection of mouse macrophages by Toxoplasma gondii renders the cells resistant to proinflammatory effects of LPS triggering. In this study, we show that cell invasion is accompanied by rapid and sustained activation of host STAT3. Activation of STAT3 did not occur with soluble T. gondii extracts or heat-killed tachyzoites, demonstrating a requirement for live parasites. Parasite-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and suppression of LPS-triggered TNF-alpha and IL-12 was intact in IL-10-deficient macrophages, ruling out a role for this anti-inflammatory cytokine in the suppressive effects of T. gondii. Most importantly, Toxoplasma could not effectively suppress LPS-triggered TNF-alpha and IL-12 synthesis in STAT3-deficient macrophages. These results demonstrate that T. gondii exploits host STAT3 to prevent LPS-triggered IL-12 and TNF-alpha production, revealing for the first time a molecular mechanism underlying the parasite's suppressive effect on macrophage proinflammatory cytokine production.     

Flow cytometrical determination of regulatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-12) and circulating dendritic cell cytokines in allergic asthmatic children

Interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 have been suggested to be key regulators in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Several of the secretion products of dendritic cells (DC), such as IL-12, IL-10, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, are considered to play a role in allergic asthma. This study compares the production of IL-10 and IL-12 in allergic asthmatic children (n = 17) and controls (n = 14) by measuring their extracellular secretion in whole blood samples after stimulation, using a microsphere-based immunoassay. Additionally, we assessed intracellular production of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-12 and IL-10 by circulating DC in stimulated whole blood samples of asthmatic and healthy children. The concentration of IL-10 in the supernatants of LPS-stimulated whole blood was significantly lower in allergic asthmatic children as compared to healthy children (463 (207-768) vs 881 (364-2626) pg/mL; p = 0.005). When a combined LPS and IFN-gamma stimulation was used, IL-10 production decreased significantly as compared to LPS alone, especially in healthy children. Consequently, no difference in IL-10 production after LPS/IFN-gamma stimulation was found between healthy and allergic children. In contrast to isolated LPS stimulation, stimulation with LPS/IFN-gamma induced higher IL-12 production; allergic asthmatic children showed a significantly lower IL-12 secretion after LPS/IFN-gamma stimulation as compared to healthy children (20 (5-247) vs 208 (7-775) pg/mL; p=0.03). Moreover, the number of IL-12 producing CD11c-positive DC (DC1) tended to be lower in asthmatic children compared to healthy children (0.05 (0.00-0.45) vs 0.27 (0.00-0.83) 10(6)/L) and correlated with the extracellular release of IL-12 in asthmatic children (r = 0.65; p = 0.016). The number of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha producing CD11c-positive DC (DC1) was comparable between healthy and asthmatic children. We hypothesize that the decreased production of IL-10 and IL-12 is responsible for Th2 polarized responses in allergic asthmatic children.     

Differential effects of LPS and TGF-beta on the production of IL-6 and IL-12 by Langerhans cells, splenic dendritic cells, and macrophages

We examined modulatory effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on IL-6 and IL-12 production by mouse Langerhans cells (LC), spleen-derived CD11c+ dendritic cells (DC), and macrophages (Mphi). Low dose LPS (1 ng/ml) increased IL-6 and IL-12 p40 production by Mphi. LPS slightly augmented IL-6 production but showed no effect on IL-12 p40 production by DC. In contrast, only high dose LPS (1 microg/ml) induced IL-6 but not IL-12 p40 production by LC. CD14 expression was the highest on Mphi and then on DC, but not on LC, which may explain the difference in responsiveness to LPS. We also found that TGF-beta inhibited IL-6 and IL-12 p40 production by LPS-stimulated Mphi. However, TGF-beta did not inhibit IL-6 production and even enhanced IL-12 p40 production by anti-CD40/IFN-gamma-stimulated Mphi. Concerning LC, TGF-beta enhanced IL-6 and IL-12 p40 production when stimulated with anti-CD40/IFN-gamma alone or with anti-CD40/IFN-gamma and LPS. Taken together, these findings indicate diverse effects of LPS and TGF-beta on these antigen presenting cells, which probably represents their differential roles in the innate immunity.     

Differential inhibition of IL-1 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression by agents which block second messenger pathways in murine macrophages

IL-1 and TNF-alpha are induced in macrophages by LPS; however, it is unclear whether similar mechanisms control the expression of both genes. Here, we report on the detection of differential regulation of LPS induced IL-1 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression and protein production in murine macrophages based on the use of inhibitors of second messenger pathways. Northern blot analysis was performed with total RNA obtained from murine (C57Bl/6) peritoneal macrophages stimulated in vitro with LPS with or without an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKc)(1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine hydrochloride; H7) or an inhibitor of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinase (N-(6-amino-hexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulfonamide hydrochloride; W7). Northerns were analyzed with probes for IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. The expression of the three cytokine mRNA by LPS was inhibited in a dose response manner by H7. In contrast, the expression of IL-1 mRNA, but not TNF-alpha mRNA, was blocked by treatment with W7. Parallel studies monitoring biologic activities of these two cytokines confirm the mRNA data. PKc inhibitors, H7 and retinal, block both IL-1 and TNF-alpha protein production and inhibitors of CaM kinase, W7, N-(6-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphthalenesulfonamide, calmidazolum, and trifluoperazine dichloride inhibit only IL-1 production. These data suggest that both PKc and CaM kinase dependent pathways are involved in the induction of IL-1 mRNA by LPS. In contrast, TNF-alpha expression appears to be PKc dependent but not CaM kinase dependent.     

TNF-alpha induces tyrosine phosphorylation and recruitment of the Src homology protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2 to the gp130 signal-transducing subunit of the IL-6 receptor complex

Recently, it has been demonstrated that TNF-alpha and LPS induce the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and inhibit IL-6-induced STAT3 activation in macrophages. Inhibitor studies suggested that both induction of SOCS3 and inhibition of IL-6-induced STAT3 activation depend on the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Since recruitment of the tyrosine phosphatase Src homology protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) to the signal-transducing receptor subunit gp130 attenuates IL-6-mediated STAT-activation, we were interested in whether TNF-alpha also induces the association of SHP2 to the gp130 receptor subunit. In this study we demonstrate that stimulation of macrophages and fibroblast cell lines with TNF-alpha causes the recruitment of SHP2 to the gp130 signal-transducing subunit and leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP2 and gp130. In this context the cytoplasmic SHP2/SOCS3 recruitment site of gp130 tyrosine 759 is shown to be important for the inhibitory effects of TNF-alpha, since mutation of this residue completely restores IL-6-stimulated activation of STAT3 and, consequently, of a STAT3-dependent promoter. In this respect murine fibroblasts lacking exon 3 of SHP2 are not sensitive to TNF-alpha, indicating that functional SHP2 and its recruitment to gp130 are key events in inhibition of IL-6-dependent STAT activation by TNF-alpha. Furthermore, activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is shown to be essential for the inhibitory effect of TNF-alpha on IL-6 signaling and TNF-alpha-dependent recruitment of SHP2 to gp130.     

The production of IFN-gamma by IL-12/IL-18-activated macrophages requires STAT4 signaling and is inhibited by IL-4

Macrophages release IFN-gamma on combined stimulation with IL-12 and IL-18, but the signaling requirements of this process and its regulation by other cytokines are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that STAT4 is indispensable for IL-12/IL-18-induced production of IFN-gamma by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Type 2 NO synthase (NOS2), which we previously found to be a prerequisite for IL-12-induced IFN-gamma production in NK cells, was not required for IFN-gamma production by these macrophages. IL-12 alone already induced the expression of IFN-gamma mRNA, but nuclear translocation of STAT4, the release of IFN-gamma protein, and the subsequent production of NO was strictly dependent on the simultaneous presence of IL-18. NF-kappa B, which mediates IL-18 effects in T cells, was only weakly activated by IL-12 and/or IL-18 in macrophages. Known inhibitors of macrophage functions (e.g., IL-4 and TGF-beta) also suppressed macrophage IFN-gamma production and the subsequent production of NOS2-derived NO. The inhibitory effect of IL-4 was paralleled by nuclear translocation of STAT6, which in EMSAs was able to bind to the same DNA oligonucleotide as STAT4. These results further define the production of IFN-gamma by macrophages and point to a diversity in the signals required for IFN-gamma production by various cell types.     

Paradoxical anti-inflammatory actions of TNF-alpha: inhibition of IL-12 and IL-23 via TNF receptor 1 in macrophages and dendritic cells

IL-12 and TNF-alpha are central proinflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages and dendritic cells. Disregulation of TNF-alpha is associated with sepsis and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, new evidence suggests an anti-inflammatory role for TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha-treated murine macrophages produced less IL-12p70 and IL-23, after stimulation with IFN-gamma and LPS. Frequency of IL-12p40-producing macrophages correspondingly decreased as measured by intracellular cytokine staining. IL-12p40 production was also inhibited in dendritic cells. TNFR1 was established as the main receptor involved in IL-12p40 regulation, because IL-12p40 levels were not affected by TNF-alpha in TNFR1(-/-)-derived macrophages. Macrophages activated during Listeria monocytogenes infection were more susceptible to inhibition by TNF-alpha than cells from naive animals, which suggests a regulatory role for TNF-alpha in later stages of infection. This nonapoptotic anti-inflammatory regulation of IL-12 and IL-23 is an important addition to the multitude of TNF-alpha-induced responses determined by cell-specific receptor signaling.     

IL-10 inhibits cytokine production by activated macrophages

IL-10 inhibits the ability of macrophage but not B cell APC to stimulate cytokine synthesis by Th1 T cell clones. In this study we have examined the direct effects of IL-10 on both macrophage cell lines and normal peritoneal macrophages. LPS (or LPS and IFN-gamma)-induced production of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha proteins was significantly inhibited by IL-10 in two macrophage cell lines. Furthermore, IL-10 appears to be a more potent inhibitor of monokine synthesis than IL-4 when added at similar concentrations. LPS or LPS- and IFN-gamma-induced expression of IL-1 alpha, IL-6, or TNF-alpha mRNA was also inhibited by IL-10 as shown by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction or Northern blot analysis. Inhibition of LPS-induced IL-6 secretion by IL-10 was less marked in FACS-purified peritoneal macrophages than in the macrophage cell lines. However, IL-6 production by peritoneal macrophages was enhanced by addition of anti-IL-10 antibodies, implying the presence in these cultures of endogenous IL-10, which results in an intrinsic reduction of monokine synthesis after LPS activation. Consistent with this proposal, LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages were shown to directly produce IL-10 detectable by ELISA. Furthermore, IFN-gamma was found to enhance IL-6 production by LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, and this could be explained by its suppression of IL-10 production by this same population of cells. In addition to its effects on monokine synthesis, IL-10 also induces a significant change in morphology in IFN-gamma-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. The potent action of IL-10 on the macrophage, particularly at the level of monokine production, supports an important role for this cytokine not only in the regulation of T cell responses but also in acute inflammatory responses.     

Eotaxin-2 generation is differentially regulated by lipopolysaccharide and IL-4 in monocytes and macrophages

The eotaxins are a family of CC chemokines that coordinate the recruitment of inflammatory cells, in particular eosinophils, to sites of allergic inflammation. The cDNA for eotaxin-2 (CC chemokine ligand 24) was originally isolated from an activated monocyte library. In this study, we show for the first time that peripheral blood monocytes generate bioactive eotaxin-2 protein constitutively. Eotaxin-2 production was significantly up-regulated when monocytes were stimulated with the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta and the microbial stimuli, LPS and zymosan. In contrast, the Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, and the proinflammatory cytokine, TNF-alpha, acting alone or in combination, did not enhance the generation of eotaxin-2 by monocytes. Indeed, IL-4 suppressed the generation of eotaxin-2 by LPS-stimulated monocytes. Although other chemokines, including macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage-derived chemokine, and IL-8 were generated by monocytes, eotaxin-1 (CC chemokine ligand 11) could not be detected in the supernatants of monocytes cultured in the presence or absence of any of the stimuli used in the above experiments. Furthermore, human dermal fibroblasts that produce eotaxin-1 did not generate eotaxin-2 under basal conditions or when stimulated with specific factors, including IL-4, IL-13, TNF-alpha, and LPS. When monocytes were differentiated into macrophages, their constitutive generation of eotaxin-2 was suppressed. Moreover, IL-4, but not LPS, up-regulated the production of eotaxin-2 by macrophages. Taken as a whole, these results support a role for macrophage-derived eotaxin-2 in adaptive immunity, with a Th2 bias. In contrast, a role for monocyte-derived eotaxin-2 is implicated in innate immunity.     

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid decreased cachexia,macrophage tumor necrosis factor-alpha production,and modifies splenocyte cytokines production

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on macrophage functions were studied in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo. In RAW macrophage cell line, CLA (mixed isomers) was shown to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. Two CLA isomers, c9,t11 and t10,c12, were tested on RAW cells and it was found that the c9,t11 was the isomer responsible for the inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. BALB/c mice were used to determine the effect of dietary CLA on body weight wasting and feed intake after LPS injection. CLA was protective against LPS-induced body weight wasting and anorexia. Plasma TNF-alpha levels after LPS injection were lower in the CLA group compared with the corn oil-fed control group 2 hr post-LPS injection. In a separate experiment, 30 mice were fed a CLA-supplemented diet or a corn oil-supplemented diet for 6 weeks and peritoneal resident macrophages were obtained for measuring TNF-alpha and nitric oxide production after in vitro exposure to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and/or LPS. TNF-alpha production was not found to be different in peritoneal macrophages from mice fed the dietary treatments, but less nitric oxide was produced in macrophages from CLA-fed mice upon stimulation when compared with macrophages from control-fed mice. Splenocytes were also collected from the mice fed the dietary treatments and stimulated to produce cytokines in culture. Supernatant was used to run cytokine enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assays. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) was decreased in CLA-fed mice when splenocytes were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) for 44 hr; however, IL-2 and the IL-2-to-IL-4 ratio were elevated.     

Recruitment of STAT3 for production of IL-10 by colon carcinoma cells induced by macrophage-derived IL-6

The immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 is associated with poor prognosis in colon cancer. Although macrophages are involved in antitumor defenses, production of IL-10 by tumor cells may permit malignant cells escape to cell-mediated immune defenses. To investigate interactions between macrophages and tumor cells in humans, we cultured macrophages isolated from patients and tested the effect of these macrophages on the production of IL-10 by several tumor cell lines. Macrophages were isolated from pleural effusions of patients with malignancy and from noncancer control patients. We demonstrated that culture supernatants of macrophages from both sources strongly stimulated IL-10 production by the three different human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines, Colo 205, Colo 320, and HT29. Recombinant IL-6, but not IL-10, TNF-alpha, and IFN-alpha, stimulated the secretion of IL-10 by colon tumor cells. mAbs against IL-6 and IL-6R prevented the effect of macrophage culture supernatants and of rIL-6, respectively, on the production of IL-10 by the three cell lines. Cocultures of macrophages and colon cancer cells showed that these tumor cells first stimulated macrophages to produce IL-6, which was then followed by IL-6-induced IL-10 production by colon cancer cells. Finally, we showed that IL-10 gene regulation was mediated by STAT3, which was phosphorylated after the binding of IL-6 to IL-6R. This is the first demonstration that IL-6, secreted by macrophages, can induce a STAT3-mediated IL-10 production by colon tumor cells.     

Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-205 kDa and Fc gamma receptor control IL-12 p40 synthesis and NF-kappa B activation

Stimulation of murine macrophages with LPS results in the coordinated activation of a set of proinflammatory cytokines and costimulatory molecules, including TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1, IL-8, IL-12, and CD80. Macrophage LPS-induced synthesis of IL-12 is inhibited following FcgammaR ligation; TNF-alpha secretion is unchanged. We report that microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-205 kDa (MAST205) is required for LPS-induced IL-12 synthesis. RNA interference-mediated suppression of MAST205 results in the inhibition of LPS-stimulated IL-12 promoter activity and IL-12 secretion, from both J774 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages. Similarly, dominant-negative MAST205 mutants inhibit LPS-stimulated IL-12 synthesis and NF-kappaB activation, but do not affect IL-1 or TNF-alpha signaling. Finally, macrophage FcgammaR ligation regulates MAST205 by inducing the rapid ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of the protein.