MyD88 and Type I interferon receptor-mediated chemokine induction and monocyte recruitment during Listeria monocytogenes infection

Pivotal role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in inflammation and NK-cell responses after TLR9 triggering in mice

The physiologic role played by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in the induction of innate responses and inflammation in response to pathogen signaling is not well understood. Here, we describe a new mouse model lacking pDCs and establish that pDCs are essential for the in vivo induction of NK-cell activity in response to Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) triggering. Furthermore, we provide the first evidence that pDCs are critical for the systemic production of a wide variety of chemokines in response to TLR9 activation. Consequently, we observed a profound alteration in monocyte, macrophage, neutrophil, and NK-cell recruitment at the site of inflammation in the absence of pDCs in response to CpG-Dotap and stimulation by microbial pathogens, such as Leishmania major, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacterium bovis. This study, which is based on the development of a constitutively pDC-deficient mouse model, highlights the pivotal role played by pDCs in the induction of innate immune responses and inflammation after TLR9 triggering.

Phenotypic, morphological, and functional heterogeneity of splenic immature myeloid cells in the host response to tularemia

Recent studies have linked accumulation of the Gr-1⁺ CD11b⁺ cell phenotype with functional immunosuppression in diverse pathological conditions, including bacterial and parasitic infections and cancer. Gr-1⁺ CD11b⁺ cells were the largest population of cells present in the spleens of mice infected with sublethal doses of the Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS). In contrast, the number of T cells present in the spleens of these mice did not increase during early infection. There was a significant delay in the kinetics of accumulation of Gr-1⁺ CD11b⁺ cells in the spleens of B-cell-deficient mice, indicating that B cells play a role in recruitment and maintenance of this population in the spleens of mice infected with F. tularensis. The splenic Gr-1⁺ CD11b⁺ cells in tularemia were a heterogeneous population that could be further subdivided into monocytic (mononuclear) and granulocytic (polymorphonuclear) cells using the Ly6C and Ly6G markers and differentiated into antigen-presenting cells following ex vivo culture. Monocytic, CD11b⁺ Ly6C(hi) Ly6G⁻ cells but not granulocytic, CD11b⁺ Ly6C(int) Ly6G⁺ cells purified from the spleens of mice infected with F. tularensis suppressed polyclonal T-cell proliferation via a nitric oxide-dependent pathway. Although the monocytic, CD11b⁺ Ly6C(hi) Ly6G⁻ cells were able to suppress the proliferation of T cells, the large presence of Gr-1⁺ CD11b⁺ cells in mice that survived F. tularensis infection also suggests a potential role for these cells in the protective host response to tularemia.

Canonical type I IFN signaling in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macrophages is disrupted by astrocyte-secreted CCL2

HIV-associated neurologic disorders are a mounting problem despite the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy. To address mechanisms of HIV-associated neurologic disorders, we used an SIV pigtailed macaque model to study innate immune responses in brain that suppress viral replication during acute infection. We previously reported that during acute infection in brain, noncanonical type I IFN signaling occurs, where IFN-β mRNA is induced while IFN-α is simultaneously suppressed. Two downstream IFN-stimulated genes, MxA and TRAIL, also show differential expression patterns. In this study, we show that differential signaling is due to interactions between macrophages and astrocytes. Astrocytes produce high levels of CCL2 upon SIV infection, which binds to CCR2 receptors on macrophages, leading to a selective suppression of IFN-α and the IFN-stimulated gene TRAIL while simultaneously inducing IFN-β and MxA. The interactions between chemokine and cytokine pathways are a novel finding that may specifically occur in the CNS.

Intrinsic adjuvanting of a novel single-cycle flavivirus vaccine in the absence of type I interferon receptor signaling

Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical for controlling pathogenic virus infections and can enhance immune responses. Hence their impact on the effectiveness of live-attenuated vaccines involves a balance between limiting viral antigen expression and enhancing the development of adaptive immune responses. We examined the influence of type I IFNs on these parameters following immunization with RepliVAX WN, a single-cycle flavivirus vaccine (SCFV) against West Nile virus (WNV) disease. RepliVAX WN-immunized mice produced IFN-α and displayed increased IFN-stimulated gene transcription in draining lymph nodes (LN). SCFV gene expression was over 100 fold-higher on days 1-3 post-infection in type I IFN receptor knockout mice (IFNAR(-/-)) compared to wild-type (wt) mice indicating a profound IFN-mediated suppression of SCFV gene expression in the wt animals. IFNAR(-/-) mice produced nearly equivalent levels of WNV-specific serum IgG and WNV-specific CD4(+) T cell responses compared to wt mice. However, significantly higher numbers of WNV-specific CD8(+) T cells were produced by IFNAR(-/-) mice and a significantly greater percentage of these T cells from IFNAR(-/-) mice produced only IFN-γ following antigen-specific re-stimulation. This altered cytokine expression was not associated with increased antigen load suggesting the loss of type I IFN receptor signaling was responsible for the altered quality of the CD8(+) effector T cell response. Together, these results indicate that although type I IFN is not essential for the intrinsic adjuvanting of RepliVAX WN, it plays a role in shaping the cytokine secretion profiles of CD8(+) effector T cells elicited by this SCFV.

Monocyte-mediated immune defense against murine Listeria monocytogenes infection

Infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes induces a robust innate inflammatory response that restricts bacterial growth in the liver and spleen prior to the development of protective T cell responses. Ly6C(hi) monocytes contribute to the innate immune response following L. monocytogenes infection and in their absence, mice rapidly succumb to infection. Emigration of Ly6C(hi) monocytes from the bone marrow into the circulation is the first step in their recruitment to sites of L. monocytogenes infection and is triggered by CCL2- and CCL7-mediated stimulation of CCR2 chemokine receptors on monocytes. CCL2 expression by mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow, in response to TLR stimulation, drives monocyte emigration from cellular compartments into vascular sinuses of the bone marrow. In addition to TLR ligands, type I interferon-mediated signals can also drive monocyte emigration from the bone marrow during L. monocytogenes infection. Once Ly6C(hi) monocytes enter the bloodstream, trafficking to sites of infection in the liver and spleen is CCR2 independent. In the liver, CD11b on the monocyte and ICAM-1 on the surface of endothelial cells target Ly6C(hi) monocytes to foci of L. monocytogenes infection. At the site of infection, Ly6C(hi) monocytes undergo MyD88-dependent differentiation into TNF and iNOS-producing dendritic cells (TipDCs) and express MHC class II, B7.1, and CD40 on their cell surface. How TipDCs mediate bacterial clearance during early L. monocytogenes infection remains an active area of investigation.

Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy Is Not Impaired in Mice with Double Deficiency of Myd88 and IFNAR Genes

Liver regeneration is known to occur in mice lacking one or more Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or the adaptor protein MyD88. Though MyD88 is required for signaling by many TLRs, others signal via MyD88-independent pathways, leading to the induction of type I interferons (IFNs). Here, we assessed liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in mice lacking both MyD88 and the type I IFN receptor (Myd88-IFNAR double-KO). Approximately 28% of Myd88-IFNAR double-KO mice had gross liver lesions prior to surgery. In mice without lesions, Myd88-IFNAR deficiency abrogated the increase in circulating IL-6 after PH but did not impair hepatocyte BrdU incorporation, mitotic figure counts, or recovery of liver-to-body weight ratios. These results indicate that type I IFNs are not responsible for the preservation of liver regeneration in Myd88-deficient mice, and they also cast doubt on the idea of microbial products being essential triggers of liver regeneration in mice undergoing PH.

Type I interferon signaling regulates the composition of inflammatory infiltrates upon infection with Listeria monocytogenes

Type I IFN is key to the immune response to viral pathogens, however its role in bacterial infections is less well understood. Mice lacking the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR-/-) demonstrate enhanced resistance to infection with Listeriamonocytogenes. We have now determined that following infection with Listeria, the composition of innate cells recruited to the peritoneal cavity of IFNAR-/- mice reflects an increase in the frequency of neutrophils and a decrease in monocyte frequency compared to WT controls. These differences in inflammatory infiltrates could not be attributed to distinct bone marrow composition prior to infection or to level of apoptosis. We also observed no differences in neutrophil oxidative burst. However, blocking CXCR2 prevented enhanced neutrophil influx and hampered bacterial clearance. Taken together, these studies highlight a novel mechanism by which type I interferon signaling regulates the immune response to Listeria, through negative regulation of chemokines driving neutrophil recruitment.

Monocyte recruitment during infection and inflammation

Monocytes originate from progenitors in the bone marrow and traffic via the bloodstream to peripheral tissues. During both homeostasis and inflammation, circulating monocytes leave the bloodstream and migrate into tissues where, following conditioning by local growth factors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and microbial products, they differentiate into macrophage or dendritic cell populations. Recruitment of monocytes is essential for effective control and clearance of viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections, but recruited monocytes also contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory and degenerative diseases. The mechanisms that control monocyte trafficking under homeostatic, infectious and inflammatory conditions are being unravelled and are the focus of this Review.

Synergistic stimulation of type I interferons during influenza virus coinfection promotes Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization in mice

Pneumococcal infection of the respiratory tract is often secondary to recent influenza virus infection and accounts for much of the morbidity and mortality during seasonal and pandemic influenza. Here, we show that coinfection of the upper respiratory tract of mice with influenza virus and pneumococcus leads to synergistic stimulation of type I IFNs and that this impairs the recruitment of macrophages, which are required for pneumococcal clearance, due to decreased production of the chemokine CCL2. Type I IFN expression was induced by pneumococcal colonization alone. Colonization followed by influenza coinfection led to a synergistic type I IFN response, resulting in increased density of colonizing bacteria and susceptibility to invasive infection. This enhanced type I IFN response inhibited production of the chemokine CCL2, which promotes the recruitment of macrophages and bacterial clearance. Stimulation of CCL2 by macrophages upon pneumococcal infection alone required the pattern recognition receptor Nod2 and expression of the pore-forming toxin pneumolysin. Indeed, the increased colonization associated with concurrent influenza virus infection was not observed in mice lacking Nod2 or the type I IFN receptor, or in mice challenged with pneumococci lacking pneumolysin. We therefore propose that the synergistic stimulation of type I IFN production during concurrent influenza virus and pneumococcal infection leads to increased bacterial colonization and suggest that this may contribute to the higher rates of disease associated with coinfection in humans.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells induce monocyte emigration in response to circulating toll-like receptor ligands

Inflammatory (Ly6C(hi) CCR2+) monocytes provide defense against infections but also contribute to autoimmune diseases and atherosclerosis. Monocytes originate from bone marrow and their entry into the bloodstream requires stimulation of CCR2 chemokine receptor by monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1). How monocyte emigration from bone marrow is triggered by remote infections remains unclear. We demonstrated that low concentrations of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands in the bloodstream drive CCR2-dependent emigration of monocytes from bone marrow. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their progeny, including CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells, rapidly expressed MCP1 in response to circulating TLR ligands or bacterial infection and induced monocyte trafficking into the bloodstream. Targeted deletion of MCP1 from MSCs impaired monocyte emigration from bone marrow. Our findings suggest that bone marrow MSCs and CAR cells respond to circulating microbial molecules and regulate bloodstream monocyte frequencies by secreting MCP1 in proximity to bone marrow vascular sinuses.

The role of natural killer cells in the defense against Listeria monocytogenes lessons from a rat model

Ly49 receptors in rodents, like killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors in humans, regulate natural killer (NK) cell activity. Although inhibitory Ly49 receptors clearly recognize classical major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules, the role for the activating Ly49 receptors has been less well understood. Here, we discuss recent data from a rat model for listeriosis. Rats depleted of NK cells, or more specifically the Ly49 receptor-bearing cells, showed increased bacterial loads in their spleen. Athymic nude rats with no functional T cells but increased numbers of Ly49-expressing NK cells were more resistant to infection, indicating a central role of NK cells in early immune defense against Listeria in this species. Listeria infection of macrophages or enteric epithelial cells led to upregulation of MHC-I, including nonclassical (Ib) molecules not regularly recognized by T cells. We have shown that activating Ly49 receptors are more efficiently stimulated when binding to upregulated class Ib antigens on infected cells. From this we postulate that activating Ly49 receptors may have a sentinel function in the early immune response against Listeria in detecting diseased cells 'flagged' by increased MHC-Ib expression.

Type I interferon signaling regulates Ly6C(hi) monocytes and neutrophils during acute viral pneumonia in mice

Type I interferon (IFN-I) plays a critical role in the homeostasis of hematopoietic stem cells and influences neutrophil influx to the site of inflammation. IFN-I receptor knockout (Ifnar1^−/−) mice develop significant defects in the infiltration of Ly6C^hi monocytes in the lung after influenza infection (A/PR/8/34, H1N1). Ly6C^hi monocytes of wild-type (WT) mice are the main producers of MCP-1 while the alternatively generated Ly6C^int monocytes of Ifnar1^−/− mice mainly produce KC for neutrophil influx. As a consequence, Ifnar1^−/− mice recruit more neutrophils after influenza infection than do WT mice. Treatment of IFNAR1 blocking antibody on the WT bone marrow (BM) cells in vitro failed to differentiate into Ly6C^hi monocytes. By using BM chimeric mice (WT BM into Ifnar1^−/− and vice versa), we confirmed that IFN-I signaling in hematopoietic cells is required for the generation of Ly6C^hi monocytes. Of note, WT BM reconstituted Ifnar1^−/− chimeric mice with increased numbers of Ly6C^hi monocytes survived longer than influenza-infected Ifnar1^−/− mice. In contrast, WT mice that received Ifnar1^−/− BM cells with alternative Ly6C^int monocytes and increased numbers of neutrophils exhibited higher mortality rates than WT mice given WT BM cells. Collectively, these data suggest that IFN-I contributes to resistance of influenza infection by control of monocytes and neutrophils in the lung.

Type I interferon (IFN-I) was originally reported as a molecule that interferes with influenza virus replication. Various IFN-I inducible antiviral proteins contribute to dampening virus replication and dissemination. Thus, loss of IFN-I signaling attenuates antiviral response and aggravates disease. Recent studies suggest the possible role of IFN-I in hematopoiesis, which subsequently might have an effect on the immune cell response at the site of infection. Indeed, IFN-I signaling-defective mice have been shown to develop aberrant cell populations. The aim of this current study was to clarify the mechanisms of IFN-I signaling in the regulation of monocytes and neutrophils. We show that IFN-I is directly involved in monocyte differentiation and that loss of IFN-I signaling allows mice to generate monocytes whose gene profile is significantly different. We found that monocytes are an important source of chemokines for further monocyte recruitment, but IFN-I-defective monocytes produce chemokines for neutrophil recruitment. As a result, mice lacking IFN-I signaling recruit more neutrophils and a reduced number of alternatively generated monocytes. Thus, our findings indicate that authentic monocyte differentiation, which requires IFN-I signaling, is critical in controlling neutrophils and protecting mice against influenza virus infection.

IFN-α-producing PDCA-1+ Siglec-H- B cells mediate innate immune defense by activating NK cells

B cells have multiple functions in adaptive immunity, including antibody production, antigen presentation and regulation of T-cell responses. Recent evidences indicate that B cells have more subsets than previously thought and may have non-classical functions, such as involvement in innate immunity and immune regulation; however, how B cells respond to microbial infection and elicit innate defense remain unclear. In this study, we identified a new subset of PDCA-1(+) Siglec-H(-) CD19(+) B cells in mice during the early period of bacterial infection with Listeria monocytogenes. PDCA-1(+) Siglec-H(-) CD19(+) B cells secreted large amounts of IFN-α and thus facilitated IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity function of natural killer (NK) cells via IFN-α. B-cell-deficient Btk(-/-) mice were incapable of producing PDCA-1(+) CD19(+) B cells, and were more sensitive to L. monocytogenes infection. Adoptive transfer of PDCA-1(+) CD19(+) B cells to Btk(-/-) mice normalized their resistance to L. monocytogenes infection. Furthermore, we found that macrophages were essential for the inducible generation of PDCA-1(+) Siglec-H(-) CD19(+) B cells via CD40-CD40L ligation. Therefore, we have identified a new subset of PDCA-1(+) Siglec-H(-) CD19(+) B cells, which enhances innate immune responses against bacterial infection by activating NK cells via secretion of IFN-α.

MyD88-adaptor protein acts as a preventive mechanism for memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder associated with brain innate immune activation mainly mediated by microglia. These cells are known to be activated in the brain of AD patients and to produce inflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic molecules in response to Amyloid beta (Aβ). Activation of microglia can also promote Aβ clearance via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is the adaptor molecule for most of these innate immune receptors, transducing the intracellular signal from TLRs to nucleus.

Results

Here, we report that more than 50% reduction in MyD88 expression in a mouse model of AD accelerated spatial learning and memory deficits. Brain of APP_swe/PS1-MyD88^+/- mice was characterized by a delay in accumulation of Aβ plaques and increased soluble levels of Aβ oligomers. Furthermore, inflammatory monocyte subset and brain IL-1β gene expression were significantly reduced in APP_swe/PS1 mice with impaired MyD88 signaling.

Conclusions

These data indicate that activation of MyD88 intracellular signaling pathway, likely by TLRs, acts as a natural innate immune mechanism to restrict disease progression of APP_swe/PS1 mice.

A fluorescence reporter model defines "Tip-DCs" as the cellular source of interferon β in murine listeriosis

Production of type I interferons, consisting mainly of multiple IFNα subtypes and IFNβ, represents an essential part of the innate immune defense against invading pathogens. While in most situations, namely viral infections, this class of cytokines is indispensable for host survival they mediate a detrimental effect during infection with L. monocytogenes by rendering macrophages insensitive towards IFNγ signalling which leads to a lethal bacterial pathology in mice. Due to a lack of suitable analytic tools the precise identity of the cell population responsible for type I IFN production remains ill-defined and so far these cells have been described to be macrophages. As in general IFNβ is the first type I interferon to be produced, we took advantage of an IFNβ fluorescence reporter-knockin mouse model in which YFP is expressed from a bicistronic mRNA linked by an IRES to the endogenous ifnb mRNA to assess the IFNβ production on a single cell level in situ. Our results showed highest frequencies and absolute numbers of IFNβ⁺ cells in the spleen 24 h after infection with L. monocytogenes where they were located predominately in the white pulp within the foci of infection. Detailed FACS surface marker analyses, intracellular cytokine stainings and T cell proliferation assays revealed that the IFNβ⁺ cells were a phenotypically and functionally further specialized subpopulation of TNF and iNOS producing DCs (Tip-DCs) which are known to be essential for the early containment of L. monocytogenes infection. We proved that the IFNβ⁺ cells exhibited the hallmark characteristics of Tip-DCs as they produced iNOS and TNF and possessed T cell priming abilities. These results point to a yet unappreciated ambiguous role for a multi-effector, IFNβ producing subpopulation of Tip-DCs in controlling the balance between containment of L. monocytogenes infection and effects detrimental to the host driven by IFNβ.

MyD88 deficiency leads to decreased NK cell gamma interferon production and T cell recruitment during Chlamydia muridarum genital tract infection, but a predominant Th1 response and enhanced monocytic inflammation are associated with infection resolution

We have previously shown that MyD88 knockout (KO) mice exhibit delayed clearance of Chlamydia muridarum genital infection compared to wild-type (WT) mice. A blunted Th1 response and ineffective suppression of the Th2 response were also observed in MyD88 KO mice. The goal of the present study was to investigate specific mechanisms whereby absence of MyD88 leads to these effects and address the compensatory mechanisms in the genital tract that ultimately clear infection in the absence of MyD88. It was observed that NK cells recruited to the genital tract in MyD88 KO mice failed to produce gamma interferon (IFN-γ) mRNA and protein. This defect was associated with decreased local production of interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) but normal levels of IL-12p70. Additionally, recruitment of CD4 T cells to the genital tract was reduced in MyD88 KO mice compared to that in WT mice. Although chronic infection in MyD88 KO mice resulted in oviduct pathology comparable to that of WT mice, increased histiocytic inflammation was observed in the uterine horns. This was associated with increased CCL2 levels and recruitment of macrophages as a potential compensatory mechanism. Further deletion of TLR4-TRIF signaling in MyD88 KO mice, using TLR4/MyD88 double-KO mice, did not further compromise host defense against chlamydiae, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms are Toll-like receptor (TLR) independent. Despite some polarization toward a Th2 response, a Th1 response remained predominant in the absence of MyD88, and it provided equivalent protection against a secondary infection as observed in WT mice.

Type I interferon: friend or foe?

Although the role of type I interferon (IFN) in the protection against viral infections has been known and studied for decades, its role in other immunologically relevant scenarios, including bacterial infections, shock, autoimmunity, and cancer, is less well defined and potentially much more complicated.

Antagonistic crosstalk between type I and II interferons and increased host susceptibility to bacterial infections

Type I and II interferons (IFNs αβ and γ) have opposing effects on immune resistance to certain pathogenic bacteria. While IFNγ generally plays a protective role, IFNαβ exacerbates Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Our findings provided evidence that this increased susceptibility reflects a novel antagonistic cross talk between IFNαβ and IFNγ. Macrophages infected with L. monocytogenes strains that induce IFNαβ production responded poorly to IFNγ, as measured by reduced phosphorylation of STAT1 and reduced IFNγ-dependent gene expression. The impaired responsiveness to IFNγ correlated with reduced expression of its receptor, IFNGR, by both infected and bystander macrophages. Down regulation of IFNGR was dependent on responsiveness to IFNγ and mimicked by recombinant IFNβ. Mice lacking responsiveness to IFNαβ (IFNAR1 (-/-)) retained high IFNGR expression, developed higher expression of MHC-II on macrophages and DCs, and were more resistant to systemic L. monocytogenes infection--but only in the presence of IFNγ. Thus, the ability of IFNαβ to down regulate IFNGR provides an explanation for its ability to reduce responsiveness to IFNγ and to increase host susceptibility to bacterial infection. It remains to be determined whether and how such antagonistic interferon crosstalk benefits the host.

Differentiation and function of mouse monocyte-derived dendritic cells in steady state and inflammation

Although monocytes were originally described as precursors to all the different subpopulations of macrophages found in the steady state and formed under inflammatory and infectious conditions, recent data have demonstrated conclusively that monocytes can also differentiate into dendritic cells (DCs). Monocytes are the precursors to different subsets of DCs, such as Langerhans cells and DCs found in the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tracts. In addition, monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs), newly formed during inflammatory reactions, appear to fulfill an essential role in defense mechanisms against pathogens by participating in the induction of both adaptive and innate immune responses. In this regard, moDCs have the capacity to activate antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses and to cross-prime CD8(+) T cells, during viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. In addition, monocytes have been recently described as the precursors to a subset of DCs specialized in innate immunity against pathogens, named TipDCs [for TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor-alpha)-iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase)-producing DCs] that display a remarkable microbicidal activity and also provide iNOS-dependent help for antibody production by B cells. Importantly, in contrast to DCs developing in the steady state, moDCs formed during inflammatory and infectious processes are subjected to diverse soluble mediators that determine the multiple functional specificities displayed by moDCs, as a result of the remarkable developmental plasticity of monocytes. In this review, we discuss recent findings dealing with the differentiation and functional relevance of moDCs that have widened the frontiers of DC immunobiology in relation to innate and adaptive immunity and the etiology of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Toll-like receptor 2 and class B scavenger receptor type I are required for bacterial uptake by trophoblast giant cells

Trophoblast giant (TG) cells, components cells of the mouse placenta, exhibit phagocytic activity, and participate in the placental defense system by extracellular bacterial antigen uptake via phagocytosis. However, the bacterial uptake mechanisms by TG cells remain to be entirely understood. In an attempt to understand these mechanisms, in this study, we investigated the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in phagocytosis by TG cells. PRRs such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and scavenger receptors play a critical role in the immune response to bacterial pathogens. Among these, we selected TLR2 and class B scavenger receptor type I (SR-BI) and then evaluated their properties in TG cells. TLR2 and SR-BI expression is higher in TG cells than in trophoblast stem (TS) cells. Although interferon-gamma treatment activated bacterial uptake in a concentration-dependent manner, it did not induce TLR2 or SR-BI expression. Depletion of TLR2 and SR-BI by siRNA reduced the bacterial uptake ability of TG cells, which was also affected by treatment with the TLR2 agonist triacylated lipopeptide. These results suggested that the phagocytic activity of TG cells is mediated by both TLR2 and SR-BI.