2
|
Nakamura Y, Kulkarni NN, Takahashi T, Alimohamadi H, Dokoshi T, Liu E, Shia M, Numata T, Luo EW, Gombart AF, Yang X, Secrest P, Gordts PL, Tsimikas S, Wong GC, Gallo RL. Increased LL37 in psoriasis and other inflammatory disorders promotes LDL uptake and atherosclerosis. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e172578. [PMID: 38194294 PMCID: PMC10904043 DOI: 10.1172/jci172578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic inflammatory disorders such as psoriasis have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and elevated levels of LL37, a cathelicidin host defense peptide that has both antimicrobial and proinflammatory properties. To explore whether LL37 could contribute to the risk of heart disease, we examined its effects on lipoprotein metabolism and show that LL37 enhanced LDL uptake in macrophages through the LDL receptor (LDLR), scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SR-B1), and CD36. This interaction led to increased cytosolic cholesterol in macrophages and changes in expression of lipid metabolism genes consistent with increased cholesterol uptake. Structure-function analysis and synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering showed structural determinants of the LL37-LDL complex that underlie its ability to bind its receptors and promote uptake. This function of LDL uptake is unique to cathelicidins from humans and some primates and was not observed with cathelicidins from mice or rabbits. Notably, Apoe-/- mice expressing LL37 developed larger atheroma plaques than did control mice, and a positive correlation between plasma LL37 and oxidized phospholipid on apolipoprotein B (OxPL-apoB) levels was observed in individuals with cardiovascular disease. These findings provide evidence that LDL uptake can be increased via interaction with LL37 and may explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with chronic inflammatory disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adrian F. Gombart
- Linus Pauling Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Patrick Secrest
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and
| | - Philip L.S.M. Gordts
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Gerard C.L. Wong
- Department of Bioengineering, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Y, Bharathi V, Dokoshi T, de Anda J, Ursery LT, Kulkarni NN, Nakamura Y, Chen J, Luo EWC, Wang L, Xu H, Coady A, Zurich R, Lee MW, Matsui T, Lee H, Chan LC, Schepmoes AA, Lipton MS, Zhao R, Adkins JN, Clair GC, Thurlow LR, Schisler JC, Wolfgang MC, Hagan RS, Yeaman MR, Weiss TM, Chen X, Li MMH, Nizet V, Antoniak S, Mackman N, Gallo RL, Wong GCL. Viral afterlife: SARS-CoV-2 as a reservoir of immunomimetic peptides that reassemble into proinflammatory supramolecular complexes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2300644120. [PMID: 38306481 PMCID: PMC10861912 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300644120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
It is unclear how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leads to the strong but ineffective inflammatory response that characterizes severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with amplified immune activation in diverse cell types, including cells without angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors necessary for infection. Proteolytic degradation of SARS-CoV-2 virions is a milestone in host viral clearance, but the impact of remnant viral peptide fragments from high viral loads is not known. Here, we examine the inflammatory capacity of fragmented viral components from the perspective of supramolecular self-organization in the infected host environment. Interestingly, a machine learning analysis to SARS-CoV-2 proteome reveals sequence motifs that mimic host antimicrobial peptides (xenoAMPs), especially highly cationic human cathelicidin LL-37 capable of augmenting inflammation. Such xenoAMPs are strongly enriched in SARS-CoV-2 relative to low-pathogenicity coronaviruses. Moreover, xenoAMPs from SARS-CoV-2 but not low-pathogenicity homologs assemble double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into nanocrystalline complexes with lattice constants commensurate with the steric size of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 and therefore capable of multivalent binding. Such complexes amplify cytokine secretion in diverse uninfected cell types in culture (epithelial cells, endothelial cells, keratinocytes, monocytes, and macrophages), similar to cathelicidin's role in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The induced transcriptome matches well with the global gene expression pattern in COVID-19, despite using <0.3% of the viral proteome. Delivery of these complexes to uninfected mice boosts plasma interleukin-6 and CXCL1 levels as observed in COVID-19 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA9009
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310012, China
| | - Vanthana Bharathi
- University of North Carolina Blood Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Tatsuya Dokoshi
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Jaime de Anda
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA9009
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Lauryn Tumey Ursery
- University of North Carolina Blood Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Nikhil N. Kulkarni
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Yoshiyuki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Jonathan Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA9009
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Elizabeth W. C. Luo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA9009
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Lamei Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02215
| | - Hua Xu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02215
| | - Alison Coady
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Raymond Zurich
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Michelle W. Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA9009
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Tsutomu Matsui
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA94025
| | - HongKyu Lee
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles County, Torrance, CA90502
| | - Liana C. Chan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles County, Torrance, CA90502
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles County, Torrance, CA90502
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA90502
| | - Athena A. Schepmoes
- Environmental Molecular Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA99354
| | - Mary S. Lipton
- Environmental Molecular Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA99354
| | - Rui Zhao
- Environmental Molecular Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA99354
| | - Joshua N. Adkins
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA99354
| | - Geremy C. Clair
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA99354
| | - Lance R. Thurlow
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Jonathan C. Schisler
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
- Computational Medicine Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Matthew C. Wolfgang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Robert S. Hagan
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Michael R. Yeaman
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles County, Torrance, CA90502
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles County, Torrance, CA90502
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA90502
| | - Thomas M. Weiss
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA94025
| | - Xinhua Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02215
| | - Melody M. H. Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Silvio Antoniak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Nigel Mackman
- University of North Carolina Blood Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599
| | - Richard L. Gallo
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093
| | - Gerard C. L. Wong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA9009
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Leite ML, Duque HM, Rodrigues GR, da Cunha NB, Franco OL. The LL-37 domain: a clue to cathelicidin immunomodulatory response? Peptides 2023; 165:171011. [PMID: 37068711 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are naturally occurring polypeptide sequences that, in addition to being active against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other parasites, may stimulate immunomodulatory responses. Cathelicidins, a family of HDPs, are produced by diverse animal species, such as mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, to protect them against pathogen infections. These peptides have variable C-terminal domains responsible for their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities and a highly conserved N-terminal pre-pro region homologous to cathelin. Although cathelicidins are the major components of innate immunity, the molecular basis by which they induce an immune response is still unclear. In this review, we will address the role of the LL-37 domain and its SK-24, IV-20, FK-13 and LL-37 fragments in the immunity response. Other cathelicidins also share structural and functional characteristics with the LL-37 domain, suggesting that these fragments may be responsible for interaction between these peptides and receptors in humans. Fragments of the LL-37 domain can give us clues about how homologous cathelicidins, in general, induce an immune response. AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIAL: No data was used for the research described in the article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michel Lopes Leite
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Harry Morales Duque
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gisele Regina Rodrigues
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nicolau Brito da Cunha
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brasil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Holani R, Rathnayaka C, Blyth GA, Babbar A, Lahiri P, Young D, Dufour A, Hollenberg MD, McKay DM, Cobo ER. Cathelicidins Induce Toll-Interacting Protein Synthesis to Prevent Apoptosis in Colonic Epithelium. J Innate Immun 2022; 15:204-221. [PMID: 36116427 PMCID: PMC10643900 DOI: 10.1159/000526121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathelicidin peptides secreted by leukocytes and epithelial cells are microbicidal but also regulate pathogen sensing via toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the colon by mechanisms that are not fully understood. Herein, analyses with the attaching/effacing pathogen Citrobacter rodentium model of colitis in cathelicidin-deficient (Camp-/-) mice, and colonic epithelia demonstrate that cathelicidins prevent apoptosis by sustaining post-transcriptional synthesis of a TLR adapter, toll-interacting protein (TOLLIP). Cathelicidins induced phosphorylation-activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-kinase, which phosphorylated-inactivated miRNA-activating enzyme Argonaute 2 (AGO2), thus reducing availability of the TOLLIP repressor miRNA-31. Cathelicidins promoted stability of TOLLIP protein via a proteosome-dependent pathway. This cathelicidin-induced TOLLIP upregulation prevented apoptosis in the colonic epithelium by reducing levels of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 in response to the proinflammatory cytokines, interferon-γ (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Further, Camp-/- colonic epithelial cells were more susceptible to apoptosis during C. rodentium infection than wild-type cells. This antiapoptotic effect of cathelicidins, maintaining epithelial TOLLIP protein in the gut, provides insight into cathelicidin's ability to regulate TLR signaling and prevent exacerbated inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Holani
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chathurika Rathnayaka
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Graham A.D. Blyth
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anshu Babbar
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Priyoshi Lahiri
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniel Young
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Morley D. Hollenberg
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Derek M. McKay
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eduardo R. Cobo
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|