Role of PKC isoforms in the Fc(gamma)R-mediated inhibition of LPS-stimulated IL-12 secretion by macrophages

TPPB modulates PKC activity to attenuate neuroinflammation and ameliorate experimental multiple sclerosis

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a key role in modulating the activities of the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). A delicate balance between pro-inflammatory and regenerative activities by microglia and CNS-associated macrophages is necessary for the proper functioning of the CNS. Thus, a maladaptive activation of these CNS innate immune cells results in neurodegeneration and demyelination associated with various neurologic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease. Prior studies have demonstrated that modulation of PKC activity by bryostatin-1 (bryo-1) and its analogs (bryologs) attenuates the pro-inflammatory processes by microglia/CNS macrophages and alleviates the neurologic symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an MS animal model. Here, we demonstrate that (2S,5S)-(E,E)-8-(5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,4-pentadienoylamino)benzolactam (TPPB), a structurally distinct PKC modulator, has a similar effect to bryo-1 on CNS innate immune cells both in vitro and in vivo, attenuating neuroinflammation and resulting in CNS regeneration and repair. This study identifies a new structural class of PKC modulators, which can therapeutically target CNS innate immunity as a strategy to treat neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

TPPB modulates PKC activity to attenuate neuroinflammation and ameliorate experimental multiple sclerosis

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a key role in modulating the activities of the innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). A delicate balance between pro-inflammatory and regenerative activities by microglia and CNS-associated macrophages is necessary for the proper functioning of the CNS. Thus, a maladaptive activation of these CNS innate immune cells results in neurodegeneration and demyelination associated with various neurologic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease. Prior studies have demonstrated that modulation of PKC activity by bryostatin-1 (bryo-1) and its analogs (bryologs) attenuates the pro-inflammatory processes by microglia/CNS macrophages and alleviates the neurologic symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an MS animal model. Here, we demonstrate that (2S,5S)-(E,E)-8-(5-(4(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,4-pentadienoylamino)benzolactam (TPPB), a structurally distinct PKC modulator, has a similar effect to bryo-1 on CNS innate immune cells both in vitro and in vivo, attenuating neuroinflammation and resulting in CNS regeneration and repair. This study identifies a new structural class of PKC modulators, which can therapeutically target CNS innate immunity as a strategy to treat neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

Molecular Mechanisms of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Induced Inflammation in an Immortalized Ovine Luteal Endothelial Cell Line (OLENDO)

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common Gram-negative bacterium causing infection of the uterus or mammary gland and is one of the major causes of infertility in livestock. In those animals affected by E. coli driven LPS-mediated infections, fertility problems occur in part due to disrupted follicular and luteal functionality. However, the molecular mechanisms by which LPS induces inflammation, and specifically, the role of LPS in the disruption of capillary morphogenesis and endothelial barrier function remain unclear. Here, we hypothesized that LPS may lead to alterations in luteal angiogenesis and vascular function by inducing inflammatory reactions in endothelial cells. Accordingly, OLENDO cells were treated with LPS followed by evaluation of the expression of selected representative proinflammatory cytokines: NF-kB, IL6, IL8, TNFα, and ICAM 1. While TNFα was not affected by treatment with LPS, transcripts of NF-kB, IL6, and IL8 were affected in a dosage-dependent manner. Additionally, the activity of TLR2 and TLR4 was blocked, resulting in suppression of the LPS-induced expression of ICAM 1, NF-kB, IL6, and IL8. Inhibition of the PKA or MAPK/ERK pathways suppressed the LPS-stimulated expression of NF-kB, IL6, and IL8, whereas blocking the PKC pathway had the opposite effect. Furthermore, LPS-induced phosphorylation of Erk1 and Erk2 was inhibited when the TLR4 or MAPK/ERK pathways were blocked. Finally, LPS seems to induce inflammatory processes in OLENDO cells via TLR2 and TLR4, utilizing different signaling pathways.

Targeting PKC in microglia to promote remyelination and repair in the CNS

Microglia and CNS-infiltrating macrophages play significant roles in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Prolonged and dysregulated inflammatory responses by these innate immune cells can have deleterious effects on the surrounding CNS microenvironment, which can worsen neurodegeneration and demyelination. However, although chronic activation of pro-inflammatory microglia is maladaptive, other functional microglial subtypes play beneficial roles during CNS repair and regeneration. Therefore, there is a tremendous interest in understanding the underlying mechanism of the activation of these reparative/regenerative microglia. In this review, we focus on the potential role of PKC, a downstream signaling molecule of TREM2 and PLCγ2, and PKC modulators in promoting the activation of reparative/regenerative microglial subtypes as a novel therapy for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.

Microbial Phagocytic Receptors and Their Potential Involvement in Cytokine Induction in Macrophages

Phagocytosis is an essential process for the uptake of large (>0.5 µm) particulate matter including microbes and dying cells. Specialized cells in the body perform phagocytosis which is enabled by cell surface receptors that recognize and bind target cells. Professional phagocytes play a prominent role in innate immunity and include macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. These cells display a repertoire of phagocytic receptors that engage the target cells directly, or indirectly via opsonins, to mediate binding and internalization of the target into a phagosome. Phagosome maturation then proceeds to cause destruction and recycling of the phagosome contents. Key subsequent events include antigen presentation and cytokine production to alert and recruit cells involved in the adaptive immune response. Bridging the innate and adaptive immunity, macrophages secrete a broad selection of inflammatory mediators to orchestrate the type and magnitude of an inflammatory response. This review will focus on cytokines produced by NF-κB signaling which is activated by extracellular ligands and serves a master regulator of the inflammatory response to microbes. Macrophages secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNFα, IL1β, IL6, IL8 and IL12 which together increases vascular permeability and promotes recruitment of other immune cells. The major anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages include IL10 and TGFβ which act to suppress inflammatory gene expression in macrophages and other immune cells. Typically, macrophage cytokines are synthesized, trafficked intracellularly and released in response to activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) or inflammasomes. Direct evidence linking the event of phagocytosis to cytokine production in macrophages is lacking. This review will focus on cytokine output after engagement of macrophage phagocytic receptors by particulate microbial targets. Microbial receptors include the PRRs: Toll-like receptors (TLRs), scavenger receptors (SRs), C-type lectin and the opsonic receptors. Our current understanding of how macrophage receptor stimulation impacts cytokine production is largely based on work utilizing soluble ligands that are destined for endocytosis. We will instead focus this review on research examining receptor ligation during uptake of particulate microbes and how this complex internalization process may influence inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages.

Signal Transduction in Immune Cells and Protein Kinases

Immune response relies upon several intracellular signaling events. Among the protein kinases involved in these pathways, members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family are prominent molecules because they have the capacity to acutely and reversibly modulate effector protein functions, controlling both spatial distribution and dynamic properties of the signals. Different PKC isoforms are involved in distinct signaling pathways, with selective functions in a cell-specific manner.In innate system, Toll-like receptor signaling is the main molecular event triggering effector functions. Various isoforms of PKC can be common to different TLRs, while some of them are specific for a certain type of TLR. Protein kinases involvement in innate immune cells are presented within the chapter emphasizing their coordination in many aspects of immune cell function and, as important players in immune regulation.In adaptive immunity T-cell receptor and B-cell receptor signaling are the main intracellular pathways involved in seminal immune specific cellular events. Activation through TCR and BCR can have common intracellular pathways while others can be specific for the type of receptor involved or for the specific function triggered. Various PKC isoforms involvement in TCR and BCR Intracellular signaling will be presented as positive and negative regulators of the immune response events triggered in adaptive immunity.

Label-free quantitative proteomics of rat hypothalamus under fever induced by LPS and PGE2

Fever is a brain-mediated increase in body temperature mainly during inflammatory or infectious challenges. Although there is considerable data regarding the inflammation pathways involved in fever, metabolic alterations necessary to orchestrate the complex inflammatory response are not totally understood. We performed proteomic analysis of rat hypothalamus using label-free LC-MS/MS in a model of fever induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). In total, 7021 proteins were identified. As far as we know, this is the largest rat hypothalamus proteome dataset available to date. Pathway analysis showed proteins from both stimuli associated with inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Concerning metabolic pathways, rats exposed to LPS or PGE₂ presented lower relative abundance of proteins involved in glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Mitochondrial function may also be altered by both stimuli because significant downregulation of several proteins was found, mainly in complexes I and IV. LPS was able to induce downregulation of important proteins in the enzymatic antioxidant system, thereby contributing to oxidative stress. The results offered comprehensive information about fever responses and helped to reveal new insights into proteins potentially involved in inflammatory signaling and metabolic changes in the hypothalamus during systemic LPS and central PGE₂ administration.

SIGNIFICANCE

The evolutionary persistence of fever, despite the elevated cost for maintenance of this response, suggests that elevation in core temperature may represent an interesting strategy for survival. Fever response is achieved through the integrated behavioral, physiological, immunological and biochemical processes that determine the balance between heat generation and elimination. The development of such complex response arouses interest in studying how the cell metabolism responds or even contributes to promote fever. Our results offered comprehensive information about fever responses, including metabolic and inflammatory pathways, providing new insights into candidate proteins potentially involved in inflammatory signaling and metabolic changes in the hypothalamus during fever induced by systemic LPS and central PGE₂ perturbation.

LPS Induces mTORC1 and mTORC2 Activation During Monocyte Adhesion

Monocyte adhesion is a crucial step in transmigration and can be induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, we studied the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, and PKC in this process. We used THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line, to investigate monocyte adhesion under static and flow conditions. We observed that 1.0 μg/mL LPS increased PI3K/mTORC2 pathway and PKC activity after 1 h of incubation. WYE-354 10⁻⁶ M (mTORC2/mTORC1 inhibitor) and 10⁻⁶ M wortmannin avoided monocyte adhesion in culture plates. In addition, WYE also blocked LPS-induced CD11a expression. Interestingly, rapamycin and WYE-354 blocked both LPS-induced monocyte adhesion in a cell monolayer and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, confirming mTORC1 involvement in this process. Once activated, PKC activates mTORC1/S6K pathway in a similar effect observed to LPS. Activation of the mTORC1/S6K pathway was attenuated by 10⁻⁶ M U0126, an MEK/ERK inhibitor, and 10⁻⁶ M calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor, indicating that the MEK/ERK/TSC2 axis acts as a mediator. In agreement, 80 nM PMA (a PKC activator) mimicked the effect of LPS on the activation of the MEK/ERK/TSC2/mTORC1/S6K pathway, monocyte adhesion to ECV cells and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. Our findings show that LPS induces activation of mTOR complexes. This signaling pathway led to integrin expression and cytoskeleton rearrangement resulting in monocyte adhesion. These results describe a new molecular mechanism involved in monocyte adhesion in immune-based diseases.

Regulation of miR-24, miR-30b, and miR-142-3p during macrophage and dendritic cell differentiation potentiates innate immunity

miRNAs are ubiquitous regulators of human biology. Parallel profiling of in vitro monocyte-to-Mφ and monocyte-to-DC differentiation revealed static, convergent, and divergent expression of miRNA. Bioinformatic and network analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs implicated miR-24, miR-30b, and miR-142-3p as negative regulators of intracellular signaling pathways, triggered not only by differentiation factors (M-CSF/GM-CSF/IL-4) but also from PRRs. Manipulation of miR-24, miR-30b, and miR-142-3p expression during the differentiation of mD-Mφ and mD-DC differentiation had minimal impact on the acquisition of phenotype but significantly abrogated the ability of these cells to mount inflammatory responses to pathogen-associated stimuli. Forced expression of these miRNAs, which are down-regulated during differentiation, inhibited release of inflammatory cytokines [TNF-α, IL-12(p40), IL-6] upon stimulation with LPS. Functional analysis revealed overlapping mechanisms of inhibition, including surface expression of TLR4/CD14/MD-1 and intracellular PKCα/NF-κB activation. Potential intermediary targets of the TLR4-NF-κB axis included members of the PI3K and MAPK families and PKC isoforms. These results demonstrate the requirement of miR-24, miR-30b, and miR-142-3p down-regulation for the generation of fully functional Mφs and DCs.

Protein kinase C and acute respiratory distress syndrome

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major public health problem and a leading source of morbidity in intensive care units. Lung tissue in patients with ARDS is characterized by inflammation, with exuberant neutrophil infiltration, activation, and degranulation that is thought to initiate tissue injury through the release of proteases and oxygen radicals. Treatment of ARDS is supportive primarily because the underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood. This gap in knowledge must be addressed to identify urgently needed therapies. Recent research efforts in anti-inflammatory drug development have focused on identifying common control points in multiple signaling pathways. The protein kinase C (PKC) serine-threonine kinases are master regulators of proinflammatory signaling hubs, making them attractive therapeutic targets. Pharmacological inhibition of broad-spectrum PKC activity and, more importantly, of specific PKC isoforms (as well as deletion of PKCs in mice) exerts protective effects in various experimental models of lung injury. Furthermore, PKC isoforms have been implicated in inflammatory processes that may be involved in the pathophysiologic changes that result in ARDS, including activation of innate immune and endothelial cells, neutrophil trafficking to the lung, regulation of alveolar epithelial barrier functions, and control of neutrophil proinflammatory and prosurvival signaling. This review focuses on the mechanistic involvement of PKC isoforms in the pathogenesis of ARDS and highlights the potential of developing new therapeutic paradigms based on the selective inhibition (or activation) of specific PKC isoforms.

PKC-ε pseudosubstrate and catalytic activity are necessary for membrane delivery during IgG-mediated phagocytosis

In RAW 264.7 cells, PKC-ε regulates FcγR-mediated phagocytosis. BMDM behave similarly; PKC-ε concentrates at phagosomes and internalization are reduced in PKC-ε⁻/⁻ cells. Two questions were asked: what is the role of PKC-ε? and what domains are necessary for PKC-ε concentration? Function was studied using BMDM and frustrated phagocytosis. On IgG surfaces, PKC-ε⁻/⁻ macrophages spread less than WT. Patch-clamping revealed that the spreading defect is a result of the failure of PKC-ε⁻/⁻ macrophages to add membrane. The defect is specific for FcγR ligation and can be reversed by expression of full-length (but not the isolated RD) PKC-ε in PKC-ε⁻/⁻ BMDM. Thus, PKC-ε function in phagocytosis requires translocation to phagosomes and the catalytic domain. The expression of chimeric PKC molecules in RAW cells identified the εPS as necessary for PKC-ε targeting. When placed into (nonlocalizing) PKC-δ, εPS was sufficient for concentration, albeit to a lesser degree than intact PKC-ε. In contrast, translocation of δ(εPSC1B) resembled that of WT PKC-ε. Thus, εPS and εC1B cooperate for optimal phagosome targeting. Finally, cells expressing εK437W were significantly less phagocytic than their PKC-ε-expressing counterparts, blocked at the pseudopod-extension phase. In summary, we have shown that εPS and εC1B are necessary and sufficient for targeting PKC-ε to phagosomes, where its catalytic activity is required for membrane delivery and pseudopod extension.

Multiple Signaling Molecules are Involved in Expression of CCL2 and IL-1β in Response to FSL-1, a Toll-Like Receptor 6 Agonist, in Macrophages

TLR6 forms a heterodimer with TLR2 and TLR4. While proinflammatory roles of TLR2 and TLR4 are well documented, the role of TLR6 in inflammation is poorly understood. In order to understand mechanisms of action of TLR6 in inflammatory responses, we investigated the effects of FSL-1, the TLR6 ligand, on expression of chemokine CCL2 and cytokine IL-1β and determined cellular factors involved in FSL-1-mediated expression of CCL2 and IL-1β in mononuclear cells. Exposure of human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells to FSL-1 resulted not only in enhanced secretion of CCL2 and IL-1β, but also profound induction of their gene transcripts. Expression of CCL2 was abrogated by treatment with OxPAPC, a TLR-2/4 inhibitor, while treatment with OxPAPC resulted in partially inhibited expression of IL-1β. Treatment with FSL-1 resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases and activation of protein kinase C. Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors, including SB202190, SP6001250, U0126, Akt inhibitor IV, LY294002, GF109203X, and RO318220 resulted in significantly attenuated FSL-1-mediated upregulation of CCL2 and IL-1β. Our results indicate that activation of TLR6 will trigger inflammatory responses by upregulating expression of CCL2 and IL-1β via TLR-2/4, protein kinase C, PI3K-Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinases.

Protein kinase C and toll-like receptor signaling

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of kinases that are implicated in a plethora of diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. PKC isoforms can have different, and sometimes opposing, effects in these disease states. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that bind pathogens and stimulate the secretion of cytokines. It has long been known that PKC inhibitors reduce LPS-stimulated cytokine secretion by macrophages, linking PKC activation to TLR signaling. Recent studies have shown that PKC-α, -δ, -ε, and -ζ are directly involved in multiple steps in TLR pathways. They associate with the TLR or proximal components of the receptor complex. These isoforms are also involved in the downstream activation of MAPK, RhoA, TAK1, and NF-κB. Thus, PKC activation is intimately involved in TLR signaling and the innate immune response.

Cl-IB-MECA enhances TNF-α release in peritoneal macrophages stimulated with LPS

Adenosine receptor A3 (A3R) belongs to the Gi/Gq-coupled receptor family, that leads to the intracellular cAMP reduction and intracellular calcium increase, respectively. A3R is widely expressed and it can play a crucial role in many patho-physiological conditions, including inflammation. Here we investigate the effect of Cl-IB-MECA, A3R agonist, on the production of TNF-α. We found that Cl-IB-MECA enhances LPS-induced TNF-α release in peritoneal macrophages. This effect is reduced by MRS1191, A3R antagonist and by forskolin, activator of adenylyl cyclase. pIκBα increased in LPS+Cl-IB-MECA-treated macrophages, while total IκB kinase-β (IKKβ) reduced. Indeed, p65NF-κB nuclear translocation increased in cells treated with LPS+Cl-IB-MECA. Moreover, IMD 0354, IKKβ inhibitor, significantly abrogated the effect of Cl-IB-MECA on TNF-α release. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) significantly reduced Cl-IB-MECA-induced TNF-α release in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, LY-294002, PI3K inhibitor, reduced the TNF-α production enhanced by Cl-IB-MECA, although the phosphorylation status of Akt did not change in cells treated with LPS+Cl-IB-MECA than LPS alone. In summary, these data show that Cl-IB-MECA is able to enhance TNF-α production in LPS-treated macrophages in an NF-κB- dependent manner.

Oxidized LDL immune complexes stimulate collagen IV production in mesangial cells via Fc gamma receptors I and III

Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by progressive mesangial expansion. Although we have reported that circulating oxidized LDL-containing immune complexes (oxLDL-IC) are associated with abnormal levels of albuminuria, the underlying mechanisms have not been investigated. In this study, we have studied the effect of oxLDL-IC on collagen IV expression by mesangial cells. We found that oxLDL-IC markedly stimulated collagen IV expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion while oxLDL only had moderate effect. We also found that oxLDL-IC stimulated collagen IV expression by engaging Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) I and III, but not FcγRII, and that p38 MAPK, JNK and PKC pathways were involved in collagen IV expression. Furthermore, we found that oxLDL-IC stimulated FcγRI expression, suggesting a positive feedback mechanism involved in oxLDL-IC-stimulated collagen IV expression. Taken together, this study showed that oxLDL-IC stimulated collagen IV in mesangial cells via FcγRI and FcγRIII, and the expression of FcγRI was increased by oxLDL-IC.

PKCδ regulates IL-12p40/p70 production by macrophages and dendritic cells, driving a type 1 healer phenotype in cutaneous leishmaniasis

The protein kinase C (PKC) family is involved in the regulation of many intracellular signalling pathways. Here, we report that the PKCδ isoform regulates IL-12p40/p70 production in macrophages and DC and that PKCδ deficiency in mice transforms the 129/Sv healer to a non-healer strain during cutaneous leishmaniasis. Leishmania major-infected PKCδ(-/-) 129/Sv mice developed a rapid increase in footpad swelling and parasite burden with disease progression, leading to necrosis and ulceration similar to non-healer BALB/c mice. Moreover, PKCδ(-/-) mice failed to develop delayed-type hypersensitivity responses against Leishmania antigen. PKCδ(-/-) macrophages were fully functional with normal MHC class II surface expression and GM-CSF production, recruitment to the draining lymph node and killing effector functions by NO production. In contrast, macrophages and DC produced significantly reduced IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 compared to the WT cells. Decreased IL-12 production resulted in diminished Th1 differentiation, as determined by a striking reduction in IFN-γ by antigen-specific stimulated CD4(+) T cells isolated from popliteal lymph nodes of L. major-infected PKCδ(-/-) mice, explaining the "non-healer" phenotype. We conclude from these data that PKCδ is a regulator of IL-12p40/p70 production by DC and macrophages, driving the healer phenotype during cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The influence of IgG density and macrophage Fc (gamma) receptor cross-linking on phagocytosis and IL-10 production

We have previously demonstrated that the addition of immune complexes (IC) to stimulated macrophages could profoundly influence cytokine production. In the present work we sought to determine the density of IgG on immune complexes necessary to mediate phagocytosis, inhibit IL-12 production and induce IL-10 production from stimulated macrophages. We developed immune complexes with predictable average densities of surface-bound immunoglobulin. We show that a threshold amount of IgG was necessary to mediate attachment of IC to macrophages. At progressively higher densities of IgG, Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis resulted in an inhibition of IL-12 production and then an induction of IL-10. The reciprocal alterations in these two cytokines occurred when as little as one optimally opsonized SRBC was bound per macrophage. Macrophage IL-10 induction by immune complexes was associated with the activation of the MAP kinase, ERK, which was progressively increased as a function of IgG density. We conclude that signal transduction through the macrophage Fcγ receptors vary as a function of signal strength. At moderate IgG densities, especially in the presence of complement, efficient phagocytosis occurs in the absence of cytokine alterations. At slightly higher IgG densities IL-12 production is shut off and eventually IL-10 induction occurs. Thus, the myriad events emanating from FcγR ligation depends on the density of immune complexes, allowing the Fc receptors to fine-tune cellular responses depending on the extent of receptor cross-linking.

Protein kinase C delta is essential for optimal macrophage-mediated phagosomal containment of Listeria monocytogenes

Activation of macrophages and subsequent "killing" effector functions against infectious pathogens are essential for the establishment of protective immunity. NF-IL6 is a transcription factor downstream of IFN-gamma and TNF in the macrophage activation pathway required for bacterial killing. Comparison of microarray expression profiles of Listeria monocytogenes (LM)-infected macrophages from WT and NF-IL6-deficient mice enabled us to identify candidate genes downstream of NF-IL6 involved in the unknown pathways of LM killing independent of reactive oxygen intermediates and reactive nitrogen intermediates. One differentially expressed gene, PKCdelta, had higher mRNA levels in the LM-infected NF-IL6-deficient macrophages as compared with WT. To define the role of PKCdelta during listeriosis, we infected PKCdelta-deficient mice with LM. PKCdelta-deficient mice were highly susceptible to LM infection with increased bacterial burden and enhanced histopathology despite enhanced NF-IL6 mRNA expression. Subsequent studies in PKCdelta-deficient macrophages demonstrated that, despite elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and NO production, increased escape of LM from the phagosome into the cytoplasm and uncontrolled bacterial growth occurred. Taken together these data identified PKCdelta as a critical factor for confinement of LM within macrophage phagosomes.

Differential regulation of human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by the tyrosine kinase Itk

NK cells are effector lymphocytes that can recognize and eliminate virally infected and transformed cells. NK cells express distinct activating receptors, including an ITAM-containing FcR complex that recognizes Ab-coated targets, and the DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa-containing NKG2D receptor complex that recognizes stress-induced ligands. The regulatory role of specific tyrosine kinases in these pathways is incompletely understood. In this study, we show that, in activated human NK cells, the tyrosine kinase IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (Itk), differentially regulates distinct NK-activating receptors. Enhanced expression of Itk leads to increases in calcium mobilization, granule release, and cytotoxicity upon stimulation of the ITAM-containing FcR, suggesting that Itk positively regulates FcR-initiated cytotoxicity. In contrast, enhanced Itk expression decreases cytotoxicity and granule release downstream of the DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa-containing NKG2D receptor, suggesting that Itk is involved in a pathway of negative regulation of NKG2D-initiated granule-mediated killing. Using a kinase mutant, we show that the catalytic activity of Itk is required for both the positive and negative regulation of these pathways. Complementary experiments where Itk expression was suppressed also showed differential regulation of the two pathways. These findings suggest that Itk plays a complex role in regulating the functions initiated by distinct NK cell-activating receptors. Moreover, understanding how these pathways may be differentially regulated has relevance in the setting of autoimmune diseases and antitumor immune responses where NK cells play key regulatory roles.

Asbestos-induced peribronchiolar cell proliferation and cytokine production are attenuated in lungs of protein kinase C-delta knockout mice

The signaling pathways leading to the development of asbestos-associated diseases are poorly understood. Here we used normal and protein kinase C (PKC)-delta knockout (PKCdelta-/-) mice to demonstrate multiple roles of PKC-delta in the development of cell proliferation and inflammation after inhalation of chrysotile asbestos. At 3 days, asbestos-induced peribronchiolar cell proliferation in wild-type mice was attenuated in PKCdelta-/- mice. Cytokine profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids showed increases in interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13 that were decreased in PKCdelta-/- mice. At 9 days, microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of lung tissues revealed increased mRNA levels of the profibrotic cytokine, IL-4, in asbestos-exposed wild-type mice but not PKCdelta-/- mice. PKCdelta-/- mice also exhibited decreased lung infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung, as well as increased numbers of B lymphocytes and plasma cells. These changes were accompanied by elevated mRNA levels of immunoglobulin chains. These data show that modulation of PKC-delta has multiple effects on peribronchiolar cell proliferation, proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokine expression, and immune cell profiles in lung. These results also implicate targeted interruption of PKC-delta as a potential therapeutic option in asbestos-induced lung diseases.

Host cell Ca2+ and protein kinase C regulate innate recognition of Toxoplasma gondii

In healthy hosts, acute infection with the opportunistic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii is controlled by innate production of IL-12, a key cytokine crucial for the development of protective immunity. Previous work has established that the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), particularly p38 and ERK1/2, are important regulators of T. gondii-induced IL-12 synthesis. Here we report that host cell Ca(2+) is required for activation of MAPK by T. gondii, as well as LPS and CpG, and for parasite-induced synthesis of IL-12. In addition, pharmacological mobilization of Ca(2+) stores in macrophages treated with parasites or LPS enhanced MAPK phosphorylation initiated by these stimuli. Investigation of the upstream mechanism by which Ca(2+) regulates MAPK activation revealed that T. gondii induced acute activation of conventional, Ca(2+)-dependent PKCalpha and PKCbeta, which are required for infection-induced MAPK activation and production of IL-12. Despite these findings, neither acute parasite infection nor LPS initiated a measurable Ca(2+) response in macrophages, suggesting that low levels of Ca(2+) are permissive for initiation of pro-inflammatory signaling. Together these data identify host cell Ca(2+) and PKC as crucial regulators of the innate immune response to microbial stimuli, including T. gondii.

The role of the activated macrophage in clearing Listeria monocytogenes infection

Macrophage activation often contributes to the strong immune response elicited upon infection. The ability of macrophages to become activated was discovered when sub-lethal primary infections of mice with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes provided protection against secondary infections through non-humoral immunity. L. monocytogenes infect and propagate in macrophages by escaping the phagosome into the cytosol, where they avoid humoral immune mediators. Activated macrophages kill L. monocytogenes by blocking phagosomal escape. The timing of the antimicrobial activities within the phagosome is crucial to the outcome. In non-activated macrophages, bacterial factors generally prevail, and L. monocytogenes can escape from the vacuoles and grow within cytoplasm. Activated macrophages generate reactive oxygen or nitrogen intermediates early after bacterial uptake, which prevent the bacteria from escaping vacuoles into cytoplasm. The heterogeneity in the interactions between L. monocytogenes and the macrophage indicate a complex relationship between the host and the pathogen governed by chemistries that promote and inhibit escape from vacuoles. This review examines the mechanisms used by activated and non-activated macrophages to kill microbes, and how those mechanisms are employed against L. monocytogenes.

Ca2+- and protein kinase C-dependent signaling pathway for nuclear factor-kappaB activation, inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages are pivotal in innate immunity. With LPS treatment, extracellular signals are transduced into macrophages via Toll-like receptor 4 and induce inflammatory mediator production by activating signaling pathways, including the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, the mechanisms by which the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increases and protein kinase C (PKC) is activated remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the signaling pathway for Ca2+- and PKC-dependent NF-kappaB activation, inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in LPS-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages. The results demonstrated that the LPS-induced transient [Ca2+]i increase is due to Ca2+ release and influx. Extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ chelators inhibited phosphorylation of PKCalpha and PKCbeta. A PKCbeta-specific and a general PKC inhibitor blunted phosphorylation of serine in mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase (MEKK) 1. Moreover, a MEKK inhibitor reduced activation of inhibitorykappaB kinase and NF-kappaB. Upstream of the [Ca2+]i increase, a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor reduced phosphorylation of phospholipase C (PLC) gamma. Furthermore, a PLC inhibitor eliminated the transient [Ca2+]i increase and decreased the amount of activated PKC. Therefore, these results revealed the following roles of Ca2+ and PKC in the signaling pathway for NF-kappaB activation in LPS-stimulated macrophages. After LPS treatment, protein-tyrosine kinase mediates PLCgamma1/2 phosphorylation, which is followed by a [Ca2+]i increase. Several PKCs are activated, and PKCbeta regulates phosphorylation of serine in MEKK1. Moreover, MEKKs regulate inhibitory kappaB kinase activation. Sequentially, NF-kappaB is activated, and inducible nitric-oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production is promoted.