Regulation of microglial phagocytosis and inflammatory gene expression by Gas6 acting on the Axl/Mer family of tyrosine kinases

Dual induction of TREM2 and tolerance-related transcript, Tmem176b, in amyloid transgenic mice: implications for vaccine-based therapies for Alzheimer's disease

Vaccine-based autoimmune (anti-amyloid) treatments are currently being examined for their therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease. In the present study we examined, in a transgenic model of amyloid pathology, the expression of two molecules previously implicated in decreasing the severity of autoimmune responses: TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2) and the intracellular tolerance-associated transcript, Tmem176b (transmembrane domain protein 176b). In situ hybridization analysis revealed that both molecules were highly expressed in plaque-associated microglia, but their expression defined two different zones of plaque-associated activation. Tmem176b expression was highest in the inner zone of amyloid plaques, whereas TREM2 expression was highest in the outer zone. Induced expression of TREM2 occurred co-incident with detection of thioflavine-S-positive amyloid deposits. Transfection studies revealed that expression of TREM2 correlated negatively with motility, but correlated positively with the ability of microglia to stimulate CD4⁺ T-cell proliferation, TNF (tumour necrosis factor) and CCL2 (chemokine ligand 2) production, but not IFNγ (interferon γ) production. TREM2 expression also showed a positive correlation with amyloid phagocytosis in unactivated cells. However, activating cells with LPS (lipopolysaccharide), but not IFNγ, reduced the correlation between TREM2 expression and phagocytosis. Transfection of Tmem176b into both microglial and macrophage cell lines increased apoptosis. Taken together, these data suggest that, in vivo, Tmem176b⁺ cells in closest apposition to amyloid may be the least able to clear amyloid. Conversely, the phagocytic TREM2⁺ microglia on the plaque outer zones are positioned to capture and present self-antigens to CNS (central nervous system)-infiltrating lymphocytes without promoting pro-inflammatory lymphocyte responses. Instead, plaque-associated TREM2⁺ microglia have the potential to evoke neuroprotective immune responses that may serve to support CNS function during pro-inflammatory anti-amyloid immune therapies.

Cigarette smoke inhibits engulfment of apoptotic cells by macrophages through inhibition of actin rearrangement

Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) was shown to impair the capacity of macrophages to clear bacteria and apoptotic cells. Here, we show that both the exposure of macrophages to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in vitro and an acute single exposure to CS in vivo impair the macrophage clearance of apoptotic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Upon longer periods of exposure to smoke in vivo (4-12 weeks), the impaired capacity of macrophages to clear apoptotic cells persisted after the cessation of smoking, with slow recovery to normality observed 4 weeks later. With respect to the mechanism by which CS impairs the macrophage uptake of apoptotic PMNs, we did not detect altered surface expression of receptors associated with apoptotic cell clearance. We did observe the impaired phosphorylation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav1 and the downstream inhibition of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) activation. Consistent with these findings, CS impaired the macrophage cytoskeletal changes observed after stimulation with apoptotic cells. A loss of actin occurred at the leading edge, manifested as impaired ruffling of the cell membrane and a decreased capacity to engulf apoptotic cells. The inability to clear PMNs would lead to a greater release of destructive PMN products, and would diminish the reparative phenotype induced by the macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells.

Role of cytokines as mediators and regulators of microglial activity in inflammatory demyelination of the CNS

As the resident innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), microglia fulfil a critical role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and in directing and eliciting molecular responses to CNS damage. The human disease Multiple Sclerosis and animal models of inflammatory demyelination are characterized by a complex interplay between degenerative and regenerative processes, many of which are regulated and mediated by microglia. Cellular communication between microglia and other neural and immune cells is controlled to a large extent by the activity of cytokines. Here we review the role of cytokines as mediators and regulators of microglial activity in inflammatory demyelination, highlighting their importance in potentiating cell damage, promoting neuroprotection and enhancing cellular repair in a context-dependent manner.

Neuroinflammatory Cytokines-The Common Thread in Alzheimer's Pathogenesis

This article discusses the potential role of the cytokine cycle and its corollary as drivers of the relentless progression of Alzheimer's neuropathologies, whether they are the result of gene mutations, gene polymorphisms, and/or environmental and comorbid conditions. Based on the discovery of cytokine overexpression as an accompaniment to the dementia-related glial activation, the cytokine hypothesis was proposed. This states that in response to the negative impact on neurons of known and unknown risk factors-which include genetic inheritance, comorbid and environmental factors-microglia and astrocytes become activated and produce excess amounts of the immune-modulating cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) and the neuritogenic cytokine S100B, respectively. Finding that these glial events occur in fetuses and neonates with Down syndrome provided the first evidence that productive immune responses by activated glia precede rather than follow overt AD-related pathology. This finding can be added to the demonstration of IL-1 induction of amyloid β (Aβ) precursor protein and astrocyte activation with excess production of neuritogenic factor S100B. This combination suggests that IL-1 and S100B overexpression would favor the Aβ production and dystrophic neurite growth necessary for laying down neuritic Aβ plaques. This, together with demonstration of IL-1 induction of excessive production of the precursors of other features common in AD prompted a corollary to the cytokine hypothesis. The corollary states that regardless of the primary cause of the neuronal insult, the result will be chronic glial activation, which in turn will result in further neuronal injury, still more glial activation with excess cytokine expression and so on. This article discusses known causes, genetic and environmental risk factors, and comorbid conditions, and the potential contribution of glial activation with excessive cytokine expression to each.

Inflammation, microglia, and Alzheimer's disease

Microglia are the brain's tissue macrophage and representative of the innate immune system. These cells normally provide tissue maintenance and immune surveillance of the brain. In the Alzheimer's disease brain, amyloid deposition provokes the phenotypic activation of microglia and their elaboration of proinflammatory molecules. Recent work has implicated Toll-like receptors in microglial recognition and response to amyloid fibrils. It is now evident that these cells exhibit more complex and heterogeneous phenotypes than previously appreciated that reflect both the plasticity of cells in this lineage and their ability to transition between activation states. The phenotypic diversity is associated with inactivation of the inflammatory response and tissue repair. We discuss recent evidence that the brain can be infiltrated by circulating monocytes in the diseased brain and that these cells may comprise a unique subpopulation of myeloid cells that may be functionally distinct from the endogenous microglia.

Pleiotropic role of growth arrest-specific gene 6 in atherosclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) belongs to the family of vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins, but in contrast to its other members, has only a limited role in hemostasis. Instead, Gas6 plays a prominent role in conditions of injury, inflammation and repair. Gas6 amplifies the activation of various cell types including endothelial cells and platelets in different models of thrombosis and inflammation, processes also important in atherosclerosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recently, we showed that in human and murine atherosclerotic plaques, Gas6 is expressed by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and most abundantly by macrophages, and that its expression increases with atherosclerosis severity. Moreover, genetic loss of Gas6 in ApoE mice reduced the influx of inflammatory cells in the plaque and induced plaque fibrosis, hence creating a stable plaque phenotype. Consistent herewith, Gas6 plasma levels are increased in patients with unstable angina pectoris, which is a common consequence of atherosclerotic plaque rupture.

SUMMARY

Inhibition of Gas6 would be an attractive therapeutic target for stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques and for the prevention of vascular thrombotic occlusion after plaque rupture. Here we will critically review the existing literature on the potential roles of Gas6 and its receptors in the different stages of atherosclerosis.

Heterogeneity of microglial activation in the innate immune response in the brain

The immune response in the brain has been widely investigated and while many studies have focused on the proinflammatory cytotoxic response, the brain’s innate immune system demonstrates significant heterogeneity. Microglia, like other tissue macrophages, participate in repair and resolution processes after infection or injury to restore normal tissue homeostasis. This review examines the mechanisms that lead to reduction of self-toxicity and to repair and restructuring of the damaged extracellular matrix in the brain. Part of the resolution process involves switching macrophage functional activation to include reduction of proinflammatory mediators, increased production and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and production of cytoactive factors involved in repair and reconstruction of the damaged brain. Two partially overlapping and complimentary functional macrophage states have been identified and are called alternative activation and acquired deactivation. The immunosuppressive and repair processes of each of these states and how alternative activation and acquired deactivation participate in chronic neuroinflammation in the brain are discussed.

MFG-E8 regulates microglial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons

Phagocytosis is an essential mechanism for clearance of pathogens, dying cells, and other unwanted debris in order to maintain tissue health in the body. Macrophages execute this process in the peripheral immune system but in the brain microglia act as resident macrophages to accomplish this function. In the peripheral immune system, macrophages secrete Milk Fat Globule Factor-E8 (MFG-E8) that recognizes phosphatidylserine “eat me” signals expressed on the surface of apoptotic cells. MFG-E8 then acts as a tether to attach the apoptotic cell to the macrophage and trigger a signaling cascade that stimulates the phagocyte development, allowing the macrophage to engulf the dying cell. When this process becomes disrupted, inflammation and autoimmunity can result. MFG-E8 resides in the brain as well as in the periphery, and microglia express MFG-E8. However, the function of MFG-E8 in the brain has not been elucidated. We measured MFG-E8 production in the BV-2 microglial cell line and the role of this protein in the recognition and engulfment of apoptotic SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. BV-2 cells produced and released MFG-E8, which apoptotic SY5Y cells and the chemokine fractalkine further stimulated. Furthermore, MFG-E8 increased phagocytosis of apoptotic SY5Y cells, and a dominant negative form of MFG-E8 inhibited phagocytosis by BV-2 cells. Finally, brain MFG-E8 levels were altered in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Our data suggest that MFG-E8 acts in the brain via microglia to aid in clearance of apoptotic neurons, and we hypothesize that a dysregulation of this process may be involved in neurodegenerative disease.