Muramyl peptide-binding sites are located inside target cells

Recognition of Staphylococcus aureus by the innate immune system

The gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen responsible for a variety of diseases ranging from minor skin infections to life-threatening conditions such as sepsis. Cell wall-associated and secreted proteins (e.g., protein A, hemolysins, and phenol-soluble modulin) and cell wall components (e.g., peptidoglycan and alanylated lipoteichoic acid) have been shown to be inflammatory, and these staphylococcal components may contribute to sepsis. On the host side, many host factors have been implicated in the innate detection of staphylococcal components. One class of pattern recognition molecules, Toll-like receptor 2, has been shown to function as the transmembrane component involved in the detection of staphylococcal lipoteichoic acid and phenol-soluble modulin and is involved in the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines by monocytes/macrophages in response to these components. Nod2 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2) is the intracellular sensor for muramyl dipeptide, the minimal bioactive structure of peptidoglycan, and it may contribute to the innate immune defense against S. aureus. The staphylococcal virulence factor protein A was recently shown to interact directly with tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 in airway epithelium and to reproduce the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha. Finally, peptidoglycan recognition protein L is an amidase that inactivates the proinflammatory activities of peptidoglycan. However, peptidoglycan recognition protein L probably plays a minor role in the innate immune response to S. aureus. Thus, several innate immunity receptors may be implicated in host defense against S. aureus.

NOD-LRR PROTEINS: Role in Host-Microbial Interactions and Inflammatory Disease

Nods are cytosolic proteins that contain a nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD). These proteins include key regulators of apoptosis and pathogen resistance in mammals and plants. A large number of Nods contain leucine-rich repeats (LRRs), hence referred to as NOD-LRR proteins. Genetic variation in several NOD-LRR proteins, including human Nod2, Cryopyrin, and CIITA, as well as mouse Naip5, is associated with inflammatory disease or increased susceptibility to microbial infections. Nod1, Nod2, Cryopyrin, and Ipaf have been implicated in protective immune responses against pathogens. Together with Toll-like receptors, Nod1 and Nod2 appear to play important roles in innate and acquired immunity as sensors of bacterial components. Specifically, Nod1 and Nod2 participate in the signaling events triggered by host recognition of specific motifs in bacterial peptidoglycan and, upon activation, induce the production of proinflammatory mediators. Naip5 is involved in host resistance to Legionella pneumophila through cell autonomous mechanisms, whereas CIITA plays a critical role in antigen presentation and development of antigen-specific T lymphocytes. Thus, NOD-LRR proteins appear to be involved in a diverse array of processes required for host immune reactions against pathogens.

The impact of misfolding versus targeted degradation on the efficiency of the MHC class I-restricted antigen processing

Evidence suggests that most epitopes presented by MHC class I molecules are derived from those newly synthesized proteins that are defective due to errors during manufacture. We examined epitope production from model cytosolic and exocytic proteins modified in various ways. Substrates containing a degradation targeting sequence demonstrated very rapid turnover and enhanced epitope production, as was the case for substrate retargeted from endoplasmic reticulum to cytosol. For less radical alterations, including point mutation and deletion and elimination of glycosylation sites, despite detectable changes in folding, half-life was only moderately decreased and there were no significant increases in epitope production. Puromycin, which causes premature termination of protein synthesis, also had no impact upon epitope production. It appears that most defective proteins are not rapidly dispensed with and the targeting of most nascent proteins for Ag processing is not tied to quality control.

Nod2 is a general sensor of peptidoglycan through muramyl dipeptide (MDP) detection

Nod2 activates the NF-kappaB pathway following intracellular stimulation by bacterial products. Recently, mutations in Nod2 have been shown to be associated with Crohn's disease, suggesting a role for bacteria-host interactions in the etiology of this disorder. We show here that Nod2 is a general sensor of peptidoglycan through the recognition of muramyl dipeptide (MDP), the minimal bioactive peptidoglycan motif common to all bacteria. Moreover, the 3020insC frameshift mutation, the most frequent Nod2 variant associated with Crohn's disease patients, fully abrogates Nod2-dependent detection of peptidoglycan and MDP. Together, these results impact on the understanding of Crohn's disease development. Additionally, the characterization of Nod2 as the first pathogen-recognition molecule that detects MDP will help to unravel the well known biological activities of this immunomodulatory compound.

Selective regulation of human immunodeficiency virus-infected CD4(+) lymphocytes by a synthetic immunomodulator leads to potent virus suppression in vitro and in hu-PBL-SCID mice

We have previously observed that the synthetic immunomodulator Murabutide inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication at multiple levels in macrophages and dendritic cells. The present study was designed to profile the activity of Murabutide on CD8-depleted phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected subjects and on the outcome of HIV-1 infection in severe combined immunodeficiency mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood leukocytes (hu-PBL-SCID mice). Maintaining cultures of CD8-depleted blasts from 36 patients in the presence of Murabutide produced dramatically reduced levels of viral p24 protein in the supernatants. This activity correlated with reduced viral transcripts and proviral DNA, was evident in cultures harboring R5, X4-R5, or X4 HIV-1 isolates, was not linked to inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis, and did not correlate with beta-chemokine release. Moreover, c-myc mRNA expression was down-regulated in Murabutide-treated cells, suggesting potential interference of the immunomodulator with the nuclear transport of viral preintegration complexes. On the other hand, daily treatment of HIV-1-infected hu-PBL-SCID mice with Murabutide significantly reduced the viral loads in plasma and the proviral DNA content in human peritoneal cells. These results are the first to demonstrate that a clinically acceptable synthetic immunomodulator with an ability to enhance the host's nonspecific immune defense mechanisms against infections can directly regulate cellular factors in infected lymphocytes, leading to controlled HIV-1 replication.

Macrophage stimulation with Murabutide, an HIV-suppressive muramyl peptide derivative, selectively activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, C/EBPbeta and STAT1: role of CD14 and Toll-like receptors 2 and 4

The smallest unit of bacterial peptidoglycans known to be endowed with biological activities is muramyl dipeptide (MDP). A clinically acceptable synthetic derivative of MDP, namely murabutide (MB), has been found to present interesting pharmacological properties and to suppress HIV-1 replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). We have addressed the signaling events activated in MDM following stimulation with either MB or the potent immunostimulant LPS. We also examined whether signaling by muramyl peptides involves the use of cell surface receptors, including CD14 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) or TLR4 that are known to be signal-transducing receptors for other bacterial cell wall components. We demonstrate that, unlike LPS, the safe immunomodulator MB selectively activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk) 1/2, in the absence of detectable Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) or p38 mitogen-activated kinase activation. Furthermore, STAT1 activation but weak or no activation of STAT3 or STAT5 respectively, could be detected in MB-stimulated MDM. Using MonoMac6 cells, we observed high C/EBPbeta and AP-1 but weaker and transient NF-kappaB activation by MB.Moreover, the truncated form of C/EBPbeta, known to repress HIV-1 transcription, was detected in extracts from MB-treated THP-1 cells. Surprisingly, neither MB nor MDP were able to transduce signals via CD14 and TLR2 or 4. These findings present major differences in the early cell activation process between LPS and muramyl peptides, and strongly argue for the implication of co-receptors other than TLR2 and TLR4 in mediating the signaling events induced by defined subunits of bacterial peptidoglycans.

Specific binding of glucosaminylmuramyl peptides to histones

Intracellular N-acetylglucosaminylmuramyl peptide-binding proteins of murine macrophages and myelomonocytic WEHI-3 cells were characterized. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting revealed proteins with molecular masses of 18, 32 and 34 kDa retaining the ability to specifically bind glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide. The inhibition analysis demonstrated that only biologically active muramyl peptides but not inactive analogs or fragments of glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide could inhibit glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide-binding to these proteins. Purification of these proteins and sequencing of peptides obtained after in-gel trypsin digestion enabled us to identify the above mentioned proteins as histones H1 and H3. These findings suggest that nuclear histones might be target molecules for muramyl peptides.

Muramyl peptide probes derived from tracheal cytotoxin of Bordetella pertussis

A novel semisynthetic scheme was developed to couple amine-reactive labeling reagents to the muramyl peptide tracheal cytotoxin (TCT) without affecting a critical amine group. Tracheal cytotoxin, N-acetylglucosaminyl-1, 6-anhydro-N-acetylmuramyl-Ala-gamma-Glu-A2pmAla (A2pm, diaminopimelic acid), is released by Bordetella pertussis, the etiologic agent of whooping cough. This glycopeptide reproduces the specific ciliated cell damage observed in the respiratory tract during B. pertussis infection. To examine binding of TCT to target respiratory cells, we have produced labeled TCT analogs. Structure-function studies have shown that the primary amine of the A2pm side chain is essential for TCT toxicity in respiratory tissue. The methodology described here allows coupling of amine-reactive reagents to TCT without affecting this essential amine. The terminal N-acetylglucosamine ring is opened by oxidation with periodic acid, a dihydrazide linker is coupled to the oxidized ring, and pH control is used to selectively derivatize the free hydrazide with an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, while the A2pm side-chain amine remains free. Using this method, we have coupled the Bolton-Hunter reagent to TCT, producing a biologically active 125I-labeled TCT analog.

The in vitro effect of new muramyl peptide derivatives on cytotoxic activity of NK (natural killer) cells from hamsters bearing Ab Bomirski melanoma

The modulation of NK activity by muramyl dipeptides derivatives against Ab (amelanotic) Bomirski melanoma and human erythroleukemia K562 cells was studied in vitro. The stimulatory effect was observed for 3 of 7 muramyl dipeptides: MDP(L-Ala)C921, MDPC857 and L18-MDP(Ala) in relation to cytotoxic activity of NK cells obtained from peripheral blood and spleen of healthy and Ab Bomirski melanoma bearing hamsters. An increased of cytotoxic activity NK cells isolated from animals before and during the transplantable phase of the tumor against K562 was found. A similar stimulation was received for NK cells obtained from animals against their own melanoma cells. The most significant influence of examined MDP derivatives on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells were obtained from animals between 10 to 12 days of tumor growth. The extent of the modulation of cytotoxic activity of NK cells was dependent on its initial value both in healthy control and Ab Bomirski melanoma bearing hamsters. If natural cytotoxic activity was high the stimulatory effect of the examined MDP derivatives was only slightly expressed.

Bacterial products and the control of ingestive behavior: clinical implications

Bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and muramyl peptides are delivered in the course of infections. They trigger the host's acute phase responses to bacterial infections and are probably involved in the accompanying hypophagia because LPS and muramyl dipeptide (MDP, the minimal immunologically active muramyl peptide) reduce food intake after parenteral administration in animals. LPS and MDP inhibit feeding synergistically through separate but interacting mechanisms. The hypophagic effects of LPS and MDP are presumably mediated by the combined actions of interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, and other cytokines. More work is required to understand the interactions between these cytokines, and between bacterial products and cytokines, before cytokine antagonists can be used for treatment of the hypophagia during bacterial infections. As the hypophagia seems to be an early mechanism of host defense, a treatment should be carefully considered. If an intervention is indicated because of a patient's poor condition, inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis and glucocorticoids may hold more promise for therapy because such substances block LPS and MDP hypophagia. Although LPS can reduce food intake by direct action on the brain, presently available evidence indicates that systemic LPS acts primarily in the periphery to generate a neural signal that is transmitted to the brain and inhibits feeding through the vagus. The exact site where LPS acts on peripheral nerves remains to be identified. LPS hypophagia is conditionable, but conditioning cannot solely account for LPS hypophagia under most test conditions. Whether MDP hypophagia is also conditionable and mediated by vagal afferents is not yet known. All in all, the putative mediators and mechanisms of LPS and MDP hypophagia suggest some options for a treatment of the hypophagia during bacterial infection, but present knowledge about the mechanisms and interactions of the involved substances is still fragmentary and requires further investigation.

N-acetylglucosamine-containing muramyl peptides directly affect macrophages

In this study flow cytometry was used to show that macrophages were the major population of murine peritoneal exudate cells (MPEC), increasing Ia expression upon treatment with N-acetylglucosaminyl-beta 1-4-N-acetylmuramyl-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (GMDP). Modulation of Ia expression resulted from direct action of GMDP on macrophages, rather than from effect of cytokines released by T-cells. The effect of GMDP on two populations of macrophages, namely, slow and rapid responding, was studied in detail. Rapid responding cells were represented by Ia-positive macrophages: GMDP augmented their Ia expression. In contrast, slow responding subpopulation was represented by initially Ia-negative macrophages, in which GMDP induced de novo synthesis of Ia-antigens. The ability to induce Ia expression was also characteristic for other adjuvant-active N-acetylglucosamine-containing muramyl peptides (GMPs). Macrophages were shown to engulf GMPs by endocytosis. Activation of macrophages by GMDP resulted in an increase in their phagocytic activity.

The modulation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 alpha and glucose levels with GMDP and other analogues of muramyl dipeptide

Immunomodulatory agent muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and seven of its analogues were tested for ability to counteract the toxic actions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in experimental mouse models. Female BALB/c mice were presensitized with Corynebacterium parvum (P. acnes) and given MDP or equimolar doses of one of its analogues after 2 weeks, followed by intravenous challenge with LPS 18 h later. This treatment produced a sharp increase in blood cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha) levels 4 h after LPS administration followed by a decline to control values after 6 h. Four analogues, GMDP, threonylMDP, GMDPBenz and GMDPOBut, were able to reduce the level of cytokines induced with LPS. For most of the analogues, the higher doses reduced the levels of TNF-alpha but slightly increased the concomitant IL-1 alpha levels. GMDP was the most effective compound tested in terms of reduction of TNF-alpha and IL-1 alpha levels, as well as for reduction of the hypoglycaemia caused by the administration of LPS.