Diphosphoryl lipid A from Rhodobacter sphaeroides blocks the binding and internalization of lipopolysaccharide in RAW 264.7 cells

Neurosteroids mediate and modulate the effects of pro-inflammatory stimulation and toll-like receptors on hippocampal plasticity and learning

Pro-inflammatory changes contribute to multiple neuropsychiatric illnesses. Understanding how these changes are involved in illnesses and identifying strategies to alter inflammatory responses offer paths to potentially novel treatments. We previously found that acute pro-inflammatory stimulation with high (μg/ml) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 10-15 min dampens long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus and impairs learning. Effects of LPS involved non-canonical inflammasome signaling but were independent of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a known LPS receptor. Low (ng/ml) LPS also inhibits LTP when administered for 2-4 h, and here we report that this LPS exposure requires TLR4. We also found that effects of low LPS on LTP involve the oxysterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, akin to high LPS. Effects of high LPS on LTP are blocked by inhibiting synthesis of 5α-reduced neurosteroids, indicating that neurosteroids mediate LTP inhibition. 5α-Neurosteroids also have anti-inflammatory effects, and we found that exogenous allopregnanolone (AlloP), a key 5α-reduced steroid, prevented effects of low but not high LPS on LTP. We also found that activation of TLR2, TLR3 and TLR7 inhibited LTP and that AlloP prevented the effects of TLR2 and TLR7, but not TLR3. The enantiomer of AlloP, a steroid that has anti-inflammatory actions but low activity at GABAA receptors, prevented LTP inhibition by TLR2, TLR3 and TLR7. In vivo, both AlloP enantiomers prevented LPS-induced learning defects. These studies indicate that neurosteroids play complex roles in network effects of acute neuroinflammation and have potential importance for development of AlloP analogues as therapeutic agents.

Galectin-3 Mediates Endotoxin Internalization and Caspase-4/11 Activation in Tubular Epithelials and Macrophages During Sepsis and Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

Besides being recognized by membrane receptor TLR4, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can also be internalized into the cytosol and activate Caspase-4/11 pyroptotic pathways to further amplify inflammation in sepsis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Galectin-3 (Gal3) could promote the uptake of LPS by governing RAGE or administering endocytosis, consequently activating Caspase 4/11 and mediating pyroptosis in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI). By pinpointing Gal3, LPS, and EEA1 (endosome-marker) or LAMP1 (lysosome-marker) respectively, immunofluorescence discovered that Gal3 and LPS were mainly aggregated in early endosomes initially and translocated into lysosomes afterwards. In cells and animal models, Gal3 and the Caspase-4/11 pathways were simultaneously activated, and the overexpression of Gal3 could exacerbate pyroptosis, whereas inhibition of Gal3 or the knockdown of its expression could ameliorate pyroptosis, reduce the pathological changes of SA-AKI and improve the survival of the animals with SA-AKI. Silencing RAGE reduced pyroptosis in primary tubular epithelial cells (PTCs) activated by Gal3 and LPS but not in cells activated by Gal3 and outer membrane vesicles (with LPS inside), whereas pyroptosis in both was reduced by blockade of Gal3, indicating Gal3 promoted pyroptosis through both RAGE-dependent and RAGE-independent pathways. Our investigation further revealed a positive correlation between serum Gal3 and pyroptotic biomarkers IL-1 beta and IL-18 in patients with sepsis, and that serum Gal3 was an independent risk factor for mortality. Through our collective exploration, we unraveled the significant role of Gal3 in the internalization of LPS and the provocation of more intense pyroptosis, thus making it a vital pathogenic factor in SA-AKI and a possible therapeutic target. Gal3 enabled the internalization of endotoxin into endosomes and lysosomes via both RAGE-dependent (A) and RAGE-independent (B) pathways, leading to pyroptosis. The suppression of Gal3 curbed Caspase4/11 noncanonical inflammasomes and diminished sepsis and SA-AKI.

Sensitization of human and rat nociceptors by low dose morphine is toll-like receptor 4-dependent

While opioids remain amongst the most effective treatments for moderate-to-severe pain, their substantial side effect profile remains a major limitation to broader clinical use. One such side effect is opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH), which includes a transition from opioid-induced analgesia to pain enhancement. Evidence in rodents supports the suggestion that OIH may be produced by the action of opioids at Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) either on immune cells that, in turn, produce pronociceptive mediators to act on nociceptors, or by a direct action at nociceptor TLR4. And, sub-analgesic doses of several opioids have been shown to induce hyperalgesia in rodents by their action as TLR4 agonists. In the present in vitro patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments, we demonstrate that low dose morphine directly sensitizes human as well as rodent dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, an effect of this opioid analgesic that is antagonized by LPS-RS Ultrapure, a selective TLR4 antagonist. We found that low concentration (100 nM) of morphine reduced rheobase in human (by 36%) and rat (by 26%) putative C-type nociceptors, an effect of morphine that was markedly attenuated by preincubation with LPS-RS Ultrapure. Our findings support the suggestion that in humans, as in rodents, OIH is mediated by the direct action of opioids at TLR4 on nociceptors.

Sensitization of Human and Rat Nociceptors by Low Dose Morphine is TLR4-dependent

While opioids remain amongst the most effective treatments for moderate-to-severe pain, their substantial side effect profile remains a major limitation to broader clinical use. One such side effect is opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH), which includes a transition from opioid-induced analgesia to pain enhancement. Evidence in rodents supports the suggestion that OIH may be produced by the action of opioids at Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) either on immune cells that, in turn, produce pronociceptive mediators to act on nociceptors, or by a direct action at nociceptor TLR4. And, sub-analgesic doses of several opioids have been shown to induce hyperalgesia in rodents by their action as TLR4 agonists. In the present in vitro patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments, we demonstrate that low dose morphine directly sensitizes human as well as rodent dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, an effect of this opioid analgesic that is antagonized by LPS-RS Ultrapure, a selective TLR4 antagonist. We found that morphine (100 nM) reduced rheobase in human (by 36%) and rat (by 26%) putative C-type nociceptors, an effect of morphine that was markedly attenuated by preincubation with LPS-RS Ultrapure. Our findings support the suggestion that in humans, as well as in rodents, OIH is mediated by the direct action of opioids at TLR4 on nociceptors.

Toll-like receptor 4 and CD11b expressed on microglia coordinate eradication of Candida albicans cerebral mycosis

The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is linked to chronic brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the molecular basis of brain anti-Candida immunity remains unknown. We show that C. albicans enters the mouse brain from the blood and induces two neuroimmune sensing mechanisms involving secreted aspartic proteinases (Saps) and candidalysin. Saps disrupt tight junction proteins of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to permit fungal brain invasion. Saps also hydrolyze amyloid precursor protein (APP) into amyloid β (Aβ)-like peptides that bind to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and promote fungal killing in vitro while candidalysin engages the integrin CD11b (Mac-1) on microglia. Recognition of Aβ-like peptides and candidalysin promotes fungal clearance from the brain, and disruption of candidalysin recognition through CD11b markedly prolongs C. albicans cerebral mycosis. Thus, C. albicans is cleared from the brain through innate immune mechanisms involving Saps, Aβ, candidalysin, and CD11b.

Spinal alarmin HMGB1 and the activation of TLR4 lead to chronic stress-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity in rodents

Chronic stress affects millions of people around the world, and it can trigger different behavioral disorders like nociceptive hypersensitivity and anxiety, among others. However, the mechanisms underlaying these chronic stress-induced behavioral disorders have not been yet elucidated. This study was designed to understand the role of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in chronic stress-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity. Chronic restraint stress induced bilateral tactile allodynia, anxiety-like behaviors, phosphorylation of ERK and p38MAPK and activation of spinal microglia. Moreover, chronic stress enhanced HMGB1 and TLR4 protein expression at the dorsal root ganglion, but not at the spinal cord. Intrathecal injection of HMGB1 or TLR4 antagonists reduced tactile allodynia and anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic stress. Additionally, deletion of TLR4 diminished the establishment of chronic stress-induced tactile allodynia in male and female mice. Lastly, the antiallodynic effect of HMGB1 and TLR4 antagonists were similar in stressed male and female rats and mice. Our results suggest that chronic restraint stress induces nociceptive hypersensitivity, anxiety-like behaviors, and up-regulation of spinal HMGB1 and TLR4 expression. Blockade of HMGB1 and TLR4 reverses chronic restraint stress-induced nociceptive hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behaviors and restores altered HMGB1 and TLR4 expression. The antiallodynic effects of HMGB1 and TLR4 blockers in this model are sex independent. TLR4 could be a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of the nociceptive hypersensitivity associated with widespread chronic pain.

Reducing the endotoxic activity or enhancing the vaccine immunogenicity by altering the length of lipid A acyl chain in Salmonella

The balance of the attenuation and reactogenicity is an issue in the development of recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccines (RASV). Some reactogenic strains produced side effects are partially induced by lipid A. As reported, the number of lipid A acyl chains influence the strength and outcome of immune responses. However, there is rarely any study to investigate the modifications of acyl chain length on the effect of the toxicity and immunogenicity in Salmonella. In this study, foreign acyltransferase genes lpxA and lpxD were introduced into S. Typhimurium, which produced the S006 (ΔaraBAD::P_lppCtlpxA_C10) or S007 (ΔproBA::P_lppSslpxD_C16) strains with C10 or C16 acyl chains respectively. The results showed that the increased polymyxin B susceptibility, reduced swimming and invasion capabilities were observed in the S006. In addition, it also exhibited a lower endotoxicity and colonization ability compared to the parent strain. The result indicated the introduction of C10 acyl chains could be as a candidate choice for lipid A detoxifying strategy in engineering bacteria. However, the longer acyl chain modification didn't obviously change these abilities. Parallelly, these modifications were introduced into a Salmonella vaccine strain to determine their influences on the immune responses against Pneumonia. After inoculation by the strain V003 (ΔaraBAD ΔproBA::P_lppSslpxD_C16 χ9241), the mice produced robust levels of anti-PspA IgG, and a balanced Th1/Th2 immunity, which resulted in a significant survival improvement of mice with challenging against Streptococcus pneumonia. Therefore, the combination of lipid A modification with C16 acyl chain may be a better strategy for the development of ideal RASVs.

Lipopolysaccharide acting via toll-like receptor 4 transactivates the TGF-β receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognise pathogen‑associated molecular patterns, which allow the detection of microbial infection by host cells. Bacterial-derived toxin lipopolysaccharide activates TLR4 and leads to the activation of the Smad2 transcription factor. The phosphorylation of the Smad2 transcription factor is the result of the activation of the transforming growth factor-β receptor 1 (TGFBR1). Therefore, we sought to investigate LPS via TLR4-mediated Smad2 carboxy terminal phosphorylation dependent on the transactivation of the TGFBR1. The in vitro model used human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells to assess the implications of TLR4 transactivation of the TGFBR1 in vascular pathophysiology. We show that LPS-mediated Smad2 carboxy terminal phosphorylation is inhibited in the presence of TGFBR1 inhibitor, SB431542. Treatment with MyD88 and TRIF pathway antagonists does not affect LPS-mediated phosphorylation of Smad2 carboxy terminal; however, LPS-mediated Smad2 phosphorylation was inhibited in the presence of MMP inhibitor, GM6001, and unaffected in the presence of ROCK inhibitor Y27632 or ROS/NOX inhibitor DPI. LPS via transactivation of the TGFBR1 stimulates PAI-1 mRNA expression. TLRs are first in line to respond to exogenous invading substances and endogenous molecules; our findings characterise a novel signalling pathway in the context of cell biology. Identifying TLR transactivation of the TGFBR1 may provide future insight into the detrimental implications of pathogens in pathophysiology.

Manipulating the microbiome alters regenerative outcomes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles via lipopolysaccharide signalling

Xenopus laevis tadpoles can regenerate functional tails, containing the spinal cord, notochord, muscle, fin, blood vessels and nerves, except for a brief refractory period at around 1 week of age. At this stage, amputation of the tadpole's tail may either result in scarless wound healing or the activation of a regeneration programme, which replaces the lost tissues. We recently demonstrated a link between bacterial lipopolysaccharides and successful tail regeneration in refractory stage tadpoles and proposed that this could result from lipopolysaccharides binding to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Here, we have used 16S rRNA sequencing to show that the tadpole skin microbiome is highly variable between sibships and that the community can be altered by raising embryos in the antibiotic gentamicin. Six Gram-negative genera, including Delftia and Chryseobacterium, were over-represented in tadpoles that underwent tail regeneration. Lipopolysaccharides purified from a commensal Chryseobacterium spp. XDS4, an exogenous Delftia spp. or Escherichia coli, could significantly increase the number of antibiotic-raised tadpoles that attempted regeneration. Conversely, the quality of regeneration was impaired in native-raised tadpoles exposed to the antagonistic lipopolysaccharide of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Editing TLR4 using CRISPR/Cas9 also reduced regeneration quality, but not quantity, at the level of the cohort. However, we found that the editing level of individual tadpoles was a poor predictor of regenerative outcome. In conclusion, our results suggest that variable regeneration in refractory stage tadpoles depends at least in part on the skin microbiome and lipopolysaccharide signalling, but that signalling via TLR4 cannot account for all of this effect.

A Journey from Structure to Function of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a crucial constituent of the outer membrane of most Gram-negative bacteria, playing a fundamental role in the protection of bacteria from environmental stress factors, in drug resistance, in pathogenesis, and in symbiosis. During the last decades, LPS has been thoroughly dissected, and massive information on this fascinating biomolecule is now available. In this Review, we will give the reader a third millennium update of the current knowledge of LPS with key information on the inherent peculiar carbohydrate chemistry due to often puzzling sugar residues that are uniquely found on it. Then, we will drive the reader through the complex and multifarious immunological outcomes that any given LPS can raise, which is strictly dependent on its chemical structure. Further, we will argue about issues that still remain unresolved and that would represent the immediate future of LPS research. It is critical to address these points to complete our notions on LPS chemistry, functions, and roles, in turn leading to innovative ways to manipulate the processes involving such a still controversial and intriguing biomolecule.

High mobility group box 1 enables bacterial lipids to trigger receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis in mice

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) is a key regulator of programmed cell death and inflammation during viral infection or sterile tissue injury. Whether and how bacterial infection also activates RIPK3-dependent immune responses remains poorly understood. Here we show that bacterial lipids (lipid IVa or lipid A) form a complex with high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), released by activated immune cells or damaged tissue during bacterial infection, and that this complex triggers RIPK3- and TIR domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β (TRIF)-dependent immune responses. We found that these responses lead to macrophage death, interleukin (IL)-1α release, and IL-1β maturation. In an air-pouch inflammatory infiltration model, genetic deletion of Ripk3, Trif, or IL-1 receptor (Il-1R), or monoclonal antibody-mediated HMGB1 neutralization uniformly attenuated inflammatory responses induced by Gram-negative bacteria that release lipid IVa and lipid A. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized mechanism by which host factors and bacterial components work in concert to orchestrate immune responses.

Lymphoid tissue-resident Alcaligenes LPS induces IgA production without excessive inflammatory responses via weak TLR4 agonist activity

Alcaligenes are opportunistic commensal bacteria that reside in gut-associated lymphoid tissues such as Peyer's patches (PPs); however, how they create and maintain their homeostatic environment, without inducing an excessive inflammatory response remained unclear. We show here that Alcaligenes-derived lipopolysaccharide (Alcaligenes LPS) acts as a weak agonist of toll-like receptor 4 and promotes IL-6 production from dendritic cells, which consequently enhances IgA production. The inflammatory activity of Alcaligenes LPS was weaker than that of Escherichia coli-derived LPS and therefore no excessive inflammation was induced by Alcaligenes LPS in vitro or in vivo. Alcaligenes LPS also showed adjuvanticity, inducing antigen-specific immune responses without excessive inflammation. These findings reveal the presence of commensal bacteria-mediated homeostatic inflammatory conditions within PPs that produce optimal IgA induction without causing pathogenic inflammation and suggest that Alcaligenes LPS could be a safe and potent adjuvant.

Alarmin HMGB1 induces systemic and brain inflammatory exacerbation in post-stroke infection rat model

Post-stroke infection (PSI) is known to worsen functional outcomes of stroke patients and accounts to one-third of stroke-related deaths in hospital. In our previous reports, we demonstrated that massive release of high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), an endogenous danger signal molecule, is promoted by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced acute damage in the postischemic brain, exacerbating neuronal damage by triggering delayed inflammatory processes. Moreover, augmentation of proinflammatory function of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) by HMGB1 via direct interaction has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HMGB1 in aggravating inflammation in the PSI by exacerbating the function of LPS. PSI animal model was produced by administrating a low-dose LPS at 24 h post-middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Profound aggravations of inflammation, deterioration of behavioral outcomes, and infarct expansion were observed in LPS-injected MCAO animals, in which serum HMGB1 surge, especially disulfide type, occurred immediately after LPS administration and aggravated brain and systemic inflammations probably by acting in synergy with LPS. Importantly, blockage of HMGB1 function by delayed administrations of therapeutic peptides known to inhibit HMGB1 (HMGB1 A box, HPep1) or by treatment with LPS after preincubation with HMGB1 A box significantly ameliorated damages observed in the rat PSI model, demonstrating that HMGB1 plays a crucial role. Furthermore, administration of Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS, a selective toll-like receptor 4 antagonist not only failed to exert these effects but blocked the effects of LPS, indicating its TLR4 dependence. Together, these results indicated that alarmin HMGB1 mediates potentiation of LPS function, exacerbating TLR4-dependent systemic and brain inflammation in a rat PSI model and there is a positive-feedback loop between augmentation of LPS function by HMGB1 and subsequent HMGB1 release/serum. Therefore, HMGB1 might be a valuable therapeutic target for preventing post-stroke infection.

Microglia activation mediated by toll-like receptor-4 impairs brain white matter tracts in rats

Microglia activation and white matter injury coexist after repeated episodes of mild brain trauma and ischemic stroke. Axon degeneration and demyelination can activate microglia; however, it is unclear whether early microglia activation can impair the function of white matter tracts and lead to injury. Rat corpus callosum (CC) slices were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS + Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RS)-LPS that is a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) antagonist. Functional changes reflected by the change of axon compound action potentials (CAPs) and the accumulation of β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) in CC nerve fibers. Microglia activation was monitored by ionized calcium binding adaptor-1 immunofluorescent stain, based on well-established morphological criteria and paralleled proportional area measurement. Input-output (I/O) curves of CAPs in response to increased stimuli were significantly downshifted in a dose-dependent manner in LPS (0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 μg/mL)-treated slices, implying that axons neurophysiological function was undermined. LPS caused significant β-APP accumulation in CC tissues, reflecting the deterioration of fast axon transport. LPS-induced I/O curve downshift and β-APP accumulation were significantly reversed by the pre-treatment or co-incubation with RS-LPS. RS-LPS alone did not change the I/O curve. The degree of malfunction was correlated with microglia activation, as was shown by the measurements of proportional areas. Function of CC nerve fibers was evidently impaired by microglia activation and reversed by a TLP-4 antagonist, suggesting that the TLP-4 pathway lead to microglia activation.

Ebolaviruses Associated with Differential Pathogenicity Induce Distinct Host Responses in Human Macrophages

Ebola virus (EBOV) and Reston virus (RESTV) are members of the Ebolavirus genus which greatly differ in their pathogenicity. While EBOV causes a severe disease in humans characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory response and elevated cytokine and chemokine production, there are no reported disease-associated human cases of RESTV infection, suggesting that RESTV is nonpathogenic for humans. The underlying mechanisms determining the pathogenicity of different ebolavirus species are not yet known. In this study, we dissected the host response to EBOV and RESTV infection in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). As expected, EBOV infection led to a profound proinflammatory response, including strong induction of type I and type III interferons (IFNs). In contrast, RESTV-infected macrophages remained surprisingly silent. Early activation of IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and NF-κB was observed in EBOV-infected, but not in RESTV-infected, MDMs. In concordance with previous results, MDMs treated with inactivated EBOV and Ebola virus-like particles (VLPs) induced NF-κB activation mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in a glycoprotein (GP)-dependent manner. This was not the case in cells exposed to live RESTV, inactivated RESTV, or VLPs containing RESTV GP, indicating that RESTV GP does not trigger TLR4 signaling. Our results suggest that the lack of immune activation in RESTV-infected MDMs contributes to lower pathogenicity by preventing the cytokine storm observed in EBOV infection. We further demonstrate that inhibition of TLR4 signaling abolishes EBOV GP-mediated NF-κB activation. This finding indicates that limiting the excessive TLR4-mediated proinflammatory response in EBOV infection should be considered as a potential supportive treatment option for EBOV disease.IMPORTANCE Emerging infectious diseases are a major public health concern, as exemplified by the recent devastating Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreak. Different ebolavirus species are associated with widely varying pathogenicity in humans, ranging from asymptomatic infections for Reston virus (RESTV) to severe disease with fatal outcomes for EBOV. In this comparative study of EBOV- and RESTV-infected human macrophages, we identified key differences in host cell responses. Consistent with previous data, EBOV infection is associated with a proinflammatory signature triggered by the surface glycoprotein (GP), which can be inhibited by blocking TLR4 signaling. In contrast, infection with RESTV failed to stimulate a strong host response in infected macrophages due to the inability of RESTV GP to stimulate TLR4. We propose that disparate proinflammatory host signatures contribute to the differences in pathogenicity reported for ebolavirus species and suggest that proinflammatory pathways represent an intriguing target for the development of novel therapeutics.

Inhibitory effects of dynorphin 3-14 on the lipopolysaccharide-induced toll-like receptor 4 signalling pathway

Dynorphin 1-17 (DYN 1-17) is biotransformed rapidly to a range of fragments in rodent inflamed tissue with dynorphin 3-14 (DYN 3-14) being the most stable and prevalent. DYN 1-17 has been shown previously to be involved in the regulation of inflammatory response following tissue injury, in which the biotransformation fragments of DYN 1-17 may possess similar features. This study investigated the effects of DYN 3-14 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-kappaB/p65 (NF-κB/p65) nuclear translocation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in differentiated THP-1 cells. Treatment with DYN 3-14 (10nM) resulted in 35% inhibition of the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65. Furthermore, DYN 3-14 modulated both IL-1β and TNF-α release; inhibiting IL-1β and paradoxically augmenting TNF-α release in a concentration-independent manner. A number of opioids have been implicated in the modulation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), highlighting the complexity of their immunomodulatory effects. To determine whether DYN 3-14 modulates TLR4, HEK-Blue™^-hTLR4 cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence of DYN 3-14. DYN 3-14 (10μM) inhibited TLR4 activation in a concentration-dependent fashion by suppressing the LPS signals around 300-fold lower than LPS-RS, a potent TLR4 antagonist. These findings indicate that DYN 3-14 is a potential TLR4 antagonist that alters cellular signaling in response to LPS and cytokine release, implicating a role for biotransformed endogenous opioid peptides in immunomodulation.

The helminth product, ES-62 modulates dendritic cell responses by inducing the selective autophagolysosomal degradation of TLR-transducers, as exemplified by PKCδ

We have previously shown that ES-62, a phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing glycoprotein secreted by the parasitic filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae targets dendritic cell (DC) responses, specifically by suppressing TLR4 signalling to inhibit Th1/Th17-driven inflammation. We have now investigated the molecular mechanisms underpinning such immunomodulation and show here that ES-62-mediated downregulation of protein kinase C-δ (PKC-δ), a TLR4-associated signalling mediator required for full activation of LPS-driven pro-inflammatory responses, is associated with induction of a low level of autophagic flux, as evidenced by upregulation and trafficking of p62 and LC3 and their consequent autophagolysosomal degradation. By contrast, the classical TLR4 ligand LPS, strongly upregulates p62 and LC3 expression but under such canonical TLR4 signalling this upregulation appears to reflect a block in autophagic flux, with these elements predominantly degraded in a proteasomal manner. These data are consistent with autophagic flux acting to homeostatically suppress proinflammatory DC responses and indeed, blocking of PKC-δ degradation by the autophagolysosomal inhibitors, E64d plus pepstatin A, results in abrogation of the ES-62-mediated suppression of LPS-driven release of IL-6, IL-12p70 and TNF-α by DCs. Thus, by harnessing this homeostatic regulatory mechanism, ES-62 can protect against aberrant inflammation, either to promote parasite survival or serendipitously, exhibit therapeutic potential in inflammatory disease.

Mammalian Lipopolysaccharide Receptors Incorporated into the Retroviral Envelope Augment Virus Transmission

The orally transmitted retrovirus mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) requires the intestinal microbiota for persistence. Virion-associated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), stimulating production of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 and MMTV evasion of host immunity. However, the mechanisms by which MMTV associates with LPS remain unknown. We find that the viral envelope contains the mammalian LPS-binding factors CD14, TLR4, and MD-2, which, in conjunction with LPS-binding protein (LBP), bind LPS to the virus and augment transmission. MMTV isolated from infected mice lacking these LBPs cannot engage LPS or stimulate TLR4 and have a transmission defect. Furthermore, MMTV incorporation of a weak agonist LPS from Bacteroides, a prevalent LPS source in the gut, significantly enhances the ability of this LPS to stimulate TLR4, suggesting that MMTV intensifies these immunostimulatory properties. Thus, an orally transmitted retrovirus can capture, modify, and exploit mammalian receptors for bacterial ligands to ensure successful transmission.

The Role of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Infectious and Noninfectious Inflammation

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) belongs to the family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). They are highly conserved receptors that recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), thus representing the first line of defense against infections. TLR4 has been long recognized as the sensing receptor for gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, it also binds endogenous molecules produced as a result of tissue injury. Hence, TLR4 represents a key receptor on which both infectious and noninfectious stimuli converge to induce a proinflammatory response. TLR4-mediated inflammation, triggered by exogenous or endogenous ligands, is also involved in several acute and chronic diseases, having a pivotal role as amplifier of the inflammatory response. This review focuses on the research progress about the role of TLR4 activation in infectious and noninfectious (e.g., sterile) inflammation and the effects of TLR4 signaling in some pathological conditions.

Lipopolysaccharide from Rhodobacter sphaeroides Attenuates Microglia-Mediated Inflammation and Phagocytosis and Directs Regulatory T Cell Response

Microglia activation and neuroinflammation are key events during the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Microglia exhibits toll-like receptors (TLRs), with predominant expression of TLR4, inducing aberrant neuroinflammation and exacerbated neurotoxicity. Studies suggest that microglia initiate infiltration of T cells into the brain that critically influence disease conditions. We report that LPS-Rs, through TLR4 antagonism, significantly inhibit TLR4 mediated inflammatory molecules like IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS, and NO. LPS-Rs regulates JNK/p38 MAPKs and p65-NF-κB signaling pathways, which we report as indispensible for LPS induced neuroinflammation. LPS-Rs mitigates microglial phagocytic activity and we are first to report regulatory role of LPS-Rs which blocked microglia mediated inflammation and apoptotic cell death. LPS-Rs significantly inhibits expression of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and CD40. Chemokine receptor, CCR5, and T cell recruitment chemokines, MIP-1α and CCL5, were negatively regulated by LPS-Rs. Furthermore, LPS-Rs significantly inhibited lymphocyte proliferation with skewed regulatory T (Treg) cell response as evidenced by increased FOXP3, IL-10, and TGF-β. Additionally, LPS-Rs serves to induce coordinated immunosuppressive response and confer tolerogenic potential to activated microglia extending neurosupportive microenvironment. TLR4 antagonism can be a strategy providing neuroprotection through regulation of microglia as well as the T cells.

Release of neuronal HMGB1 by ethanol through decreased HDAC activity activates brain neuroimmune signaling

Neuroimmune gene induction is involved in many brain pathologies including addiction. Although increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines has been found in ethanol-treated mouse brain and rat brain slice cultures as well as in post-mortem human alcoholic brain, the mechanisms remain elusive. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a nuclear protein that has endogenous cytokine-like activity. We previously found increased HMGB1 in post-mortem alcoholic human brain as well as in ethanol treated mice and rat brain slice cultures. The present study investigated the mechanisms for ethanol-induced release of HMGB1 and neuroimmune activation in a model of rat hippocampal-entorhinal cortex (HEC) brain slice cultures. Ethanol exposure triggered dose-dependent HMGB1 release, predominantly from neuronal cells. Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) promoted nucleocytoplasmic mobilization of HDAC1/4 and HMGB1 resulting in increased total HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1 release. Similarly, ethanol treatment was found to induce the translocation of HDAC1/4 and HMGB1 proteins from nuclear to cytosolic fractions. Furthermore, ethanol treatment reduced HDAC1/4 mRNA and increased acetylated HMGB1 release into the media. These results suggest decreased HDAC activity may be critical in regulating acetylated HMGB1 release from neurons in response to ethanol. Ethanol and HMGB1 treatment increased mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β as well as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Targeting HMGB1 or microglial TLR4 by using siRNAs to HMGB1 and TLR4, HMGB1 neutralizing antibody, HMGB1 inhibitor glycyrrhizin and TLR4 antagonist as well as inhibitor of microglial activation all blocked ethanol-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β. These results support the hypothesis that ethanol alters HDACs that regulate HMGB1 release and that danger signal HMGB1 as endogenous ligand for TLR4 mediates ethanol-induced brain neuroimmune signaling through activation of microglial TLR4. These findings provide new therapeutic targets for brain neuroimmune activation and alcoholism.

Release of neuronal HMGB1 by ethanol through decreased HDAC activity activates brain neuroimmune signaling

Neuroimmune gene induction is involved in many brain pathologies including addiction. Although increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines has been found in ethanol-treated mouse brain and rat brain slice cultures as well as in post-mortem human alcoholic brain, the mechanisms remain elusive. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a nuclear protein that has endogenous cytokine-like activity. We previously found increased HMGB1 in post-mortem alcoholic human brain as well as in ethanol treated mice and rat brain slice cultures. The present study investigated the mechanisms for ethanol-induced release of HMGB1 and neuroimmune activation in a model of rat hippocampal-entorhinal cortex (HEC) brain slice cultures. Ethanol exposure triggered dose-dependent HMGB1 release, predominantly from neuronal cells. Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) promoted nucleocytoplasmic mobilization of HDAC1/4 and HMGB1 resulting in increased total HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1 release. Similarly, ethanol treatment was found to induce the translocation of HDAC1/4 and HMGB1 proteins from nuclear to cytosolic fractions. Furthermore, ethanol treatment reduced HDAC1/4 mRNA and increased acetylated HMGB1 release into the media. These results suggest decreased HDAC activity may be critical in regulating acetylated HMGB1 release from neurons in response to ethanol. Ethanol and HMGB1 treatment increased mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β as well as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Targeting HMGB1 or microglial TLR4 by using siRNAs to HMGB1 and TLR4, HMGB1 neutralizing antibody, HMGB1 inhibitor glycyrrhizin and TLR4 antagonist as well as inhibitor of microglial activation all blocked ethanol-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β. These results support the hypothesis that ethanol alters HDACs that regulate HMGB1 release and that danger signal HMGB1 as endogenous ligand for TLR4 mediates ethanol-induced brain neuroimmune signaling through activation of microglial TLR4. These findings provide new therapeutic targets for brain neuroimmune activation and alcoholism.

Reduced frequency of a CD14+ CD16+ monocyte subset with high Toll-like receptor 4 expression in cord blood compared to adult blood contributes to lipopolysaccharide hyporesponsiveness in newborns

The human innate immune response to pathogens is not fully effective and mature until well into childhood, as exemplified by various responses to Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists in newborns compared to adults. To better understand the mechanistic basis for this age-related difference in innate immunity, we compared tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production by monocytes from cord blood (CB) and adult blood (AB) in response to LAM (lipoarabinomannan from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a TLR2 ligand) and LPS (lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli, a TLR4 ligand). LPS or LAM-induced TNF-α production was 5 to 18 times higher in AB than in CB monocytes, whereas interleukin-1α (IL-1α) stimulated similar levels of TNF-α in both groups, suggesting that decreased responses to LPS or LAM in CB are unlikely to be due to differences in the MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. This impaired signaling was attributable, in part, to lower functional TLR4 expression, especially on CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes, which are the primary cell subset for LPS-induced TNF-α production. Importantly, the frequency of CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes in CB was 2.5-fold lower than in AB (P < 0.01). CB from Kenyan newborns sensitized to parasite antigens in utero had more CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes (P = 0.02) and produced higher levels of TNF-α in response to LPS (P = 0.004) than CB from unsensitized Kenyan or North American newborns. Thus, a reduced CD14(+) CD16(+) activated/differentiated monocyte subset and a correspondingly lower level of functional TLR4 on monocytes contributes to the relatively low TNF-α response to LPS observed in immunologically naive newborns compared to the response in adults.

Preventing acute gut wall damage in infectious diarrhoeas with glycosylated dendrimers

Intestinal pathogens use the host's excessive inflammatory cytokine response, designed to eliminate dangerous bacteria, to disrupt epithelial gut wall integrity and promote their tissue invasion. We sought to develop a non-antibiotic-based approach to prevent this injury. Molecular docking studies suggested that glycosylated dendrimers block the TLR4-MD-2-LPS complex, and a 13.6 kDa polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer glucosamine (DG) reduced the induction of human monocyte interleukin (IL)-6 by Gram-negative bacteria. In a rabbit model of shigellosis, PAMAM-DG prevented epithelial gut wall damage and intestinal villous destruction, reduced local IL-6 and IL-8 expression, and minimized bacterial invasion. Computational modelling studies identified a 3.3 kDa polypropyletherimine (PETIM)-DG as the smallest likely bioactive molecule. In human monocytes, high purity PETIM-DG potently inhibited Shigella Lipid A-induced IL-6 expression. In rabbits, PETIM-DG prevented Shigella-induced epithelial gut wall damage, reduced local IL-6 and IL-8 expression, and minimized bacterial invasion. There was no change in β-defensin, IL-10, interferon-β, transforming growth factor-β, CD3 or FoxP3 expression. Small and orally delivered DG could be useful for preventing gut wall tissue damage in a wide spectrum of infectious diarrhoeal diseases.

–>See accompanying article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/emmm.201201668

Proteasome protease mediated regulation of cytokine induction and inflammation

We have previously demonstrated that proteasome serves as a central regulator of inflammation and macrophage function. Until recently, proteasomes have generally been considered to play a relatively passive role in the regulation of cellular activity, i.e., any ubiquitinated protein was considered to be in discriminatively targeted for degradation by the proteasome. We have demonstrated, however, by using specific proteasome protease inhibitors and knockout mice lacking specific components of immunoproteasomes, that proteasomes (containing X, Y, and Z protease subunits) and immunoproteasomes (containing LMP7, LMP2, and LMP10 protease subunits) have well-defined functions in cytokine induction and inflammation based on their individual protease activities. We have also shown that LPS-TLR mediated signaling in the murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line results in the replacement of macrophage immunoproteasomal subunits. Such modifications serve as pivotal regulators of LPS-induced inflammation. Our findings support the relatively novel concept that defects in structure/function of proteasome protease subunits caused by genetic disorders, aging, diet, or drugs may well have the potential to contribute to modulation of proteasome activity. Of particular relevance, we have identified quercetin and resveratrol, significant constituents present in berries and in red wine respectively, as two novel proteasome inhibitors that have been previously implicated as disease-modifying natural products. We posit that natural proteasome inhibitors/activators can potentially be used as therapeutic response modifiers to prevent/treat diseases through pathways involving the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UP-pathway), which likely functions as a master regulator involved in control of overall inflammatory responses. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin Drug Discovery and Diagnostics.

The immunoproteasomes regulate LPS-induced TRIF/TRAM signaling pathway in murine macrophages

We have proposed the novel concept that the macrophage ubiquitin-proteasome pathway functions as a key regulator of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation signaling. These findings suggest that proteasome-associated protease subunits X, Y, and Z are replaced by LMP subunits after LPS treatment of RAW 264.7 cells. The objective here was to determine the contribution of selective LMP proteasomal subunits to LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-α production in primary murine macrophages. Accordingly, thioglycollate-elicited macrophages from LMP7, LMP2, LMP10 (MECL-1), and LMP7/MECL-1 double knockout mice were stimulated in vitro with LPS, and were found to generate markedly reduced NO levels compared to wild-type (WT) mice, whereas TNF-α levels responses were essentially unaltered relative to wild-type responses. The recent studies suggest that the TRIF/TRAM pathway is defective in LMP knockouts which may explain why iNOS/NO are not robustly induced in LPS-treated macrophages from knockouts. Treating these macrophages with IFN-γ and LPS, however, reverses this defect, leading to robust NO induction. TNF-α is induced by LPS in the LMP knockout macrophages because IκB and IRAK are degraded normally via the MyD88 pathway. Collectively, these findings strongly support the concept that LMP7/MECL-1 proteasomes subunits actively function to regulate LPS-induced NO production by affecting the TRIF/TRAM pathway.

Lipopolysaccharide inhibits the channel activity of the P2X7 receptor

The purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) plays an important role during the immune response, participating in several events such as cytokine release, apoptosis, and necrosis. The bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the strongest stimuli of the immune response, and it has been shown that P2X7R activation can modulate LPS-induced responses. Moreover, a C-terminal binding site for LPS has been proposed. In order to evaluate if LPS can directly modulate the activity of the P2X7R, we tested several signaling pathways associated with P2X7R activation in HEK293 cells that do not express the TLR-4 receptor. We found that LPS alone was unable to induce any P2X7R-related activity, suggesting that the P2X7R is not directly activated by the endotoxin. On the other hand, preapplication of LPS inhibited ATP-induced currents, intracellular calcium increase, and ethidium bromide uptake and had no effect on ERK activation in HEK293 cells. In splenocytes-derived T-regulatory cells, in which ATP-induced apoptosis is driven by the P2X7R, LPS inhibited ATP-induced apoptosis. Altogether, these results demonstrate that LPS modulates the activity of the P2X7R and suggest that this effect could be of physiological relevance.

High-mobility group box-1 impairs memory in mice through both toll-like receptor 4 and Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products

High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein with cytokine-type functions upon its extracellular release. HMGB1 activates inflammatory pathways by stimulating multiple receptors, chiefly toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE). TLR4 and RAGE activation has been implicated in memory impairments, although the endogenous ligand subserving these effects is unknown. We examined whether HMGB1 induced memory deficits using novel object recognition test, and which of the two receptor pathways was involved in these effects. Non-spatial long-term memory was examined in wild type, TLR4 knockout, and RAGE knockout mice. Recombinant HMGB1 (10μg, intracerebroventricularly, i.c.v.) disrupted memory encoding equipotently in wild type, TLR4 knockout and RAGE knockout animals, but affected neither memory consolidation, nor retrieval. Neither TLR4 knockout nor RAGE knockout mice per se, exhibited memory deficits. Blockade of TLR4 in RAGE knockout mice using Rhodobacter sphaeroides lipopolysaccharide (LPS-Rs; 20 μg, i.c.v.) prevented the detrimental effect of HMGB1 on memory. These data show that elevated brain levels of HMGB1 induce memory abnormalities which may be mediated by either TLR4, or RAGE. This mechanism may contribute to memory deficits under various neurological and psychiatric conditions associated with the increased HMGB1 levels, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

Toll-like receptor 4 and high-mobility group box-1 are involved in ictogenesis and can be targeted to reduce seizures

Brain inflammation is a major factor in epilepsy, but the impact of specific inflammatory mediators on neuronal excitability is incompletely understood. Using models of acute and chronic seizures in C57BL/6 mice, we discovered a proconvulsant pathway involving high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) release from neurons and glia and its interaction with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key receptor of innate immunity. Antagonists of HMGB1 and TLR4 retard seizure precipitation and decrease acute and chronic seizure recurrence. TLR4-defective C3H/HeJ mice are resistant to kainate-induced seizures. The proconvulsant effects of HMGB1, like those of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), are partly mediated by ifenprodil-sensitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Increased expression of HMGB1 and TLR4 in human epileptogenic tissue, like that observed in the mouse model of chronic seizures, suggests a role for the HMGB1-TLR4 axis in human epilepsy. Thus, HMGB1-TLR4 signaling may contribute to generating and perpetuating seizures in humans and might be targeted to attain anticonvulsant effects in epilepsies that are currently resistant to drugs.

Helminth-derived immunomodulators: can understanding the worm produce the pill?

Helminths may protect humans against allergic and autoimmune diseases and, indeed, defined helminth-derived products have recently been shown to prevent the development of such inflammatory diseases in mouse models. Here, we propose that helminth-derived products not only have therapeutic potential but can also be used as unique tools for defining key molecular events in the induction of an anti-inflammatory response and, therefore, for defining new therapeutic targets.

Bacteroides fragilis signals through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and not through TLR4

Although it is desirable to identify the interactions between endotoxin/LPS and the innate immune mechanism, it is often not possible to isolate these interactions from other cell wall-related structures of protein or polysaccharide origin. There is no universally accepted method to extract different LPSs from different bacteria, and their natural state will be influenced by their interactions with the associated molecules in the bacterial outer membrane. It is now believed that Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 is the main signal transducer of classical LPS (i.e. Escherichia coli LPS), while TLR2 is used by certain non-classical LPSs. There are contradictory reports as to whether Bacteroides fragilis LPS, a non-classical LPS, signals primarily through TLR2 or TLR4. This study was designed to address this problem. Different non-purified and purified B. fragilis LPSs extracted by different methods together with different heat-killed, whole-cell populations of B. fragilis were used to elucidate the TLR specificity. All of these B. fragilis preparations showed a significant signalling specificity for TLR2 but not for TLR4. This indicates that changing the extraction methods, with or without applying a repurification procedure, and varying the cell populations do not alter the TLR specificity of B. fragilis LPS.

Lipid A-mediated tolerance and cancer therapy

The term "tolerance" from an immunological perspective, broadly encompasses a number of phenomena, but generally refers to a diminished responsiveness to LPS and/or other microbial products. With the discovery that many of the immunological, physiological and/or pathophysiological effects of LPS can be attributed to the lipid A moiety of the LPS molecule, a number of different lipid A analogs were synthesized with the goal of developing a drug that could be used clinically to treat cancer. In many instances, the development of tolerance to the lipid A congeners confounded the utility of these analogs as cancer therapeutics. In certain circumstances, however, the development of tolerance in patients has been utilized therapeutically to protect immunosuppressed patients from sepsis. Although numerous studies have been designed to investigate the development of tolerance, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. This may be due, in part, to differences in the experimental models used, the sources and types of microbes and microbial products studied, kinetics of responses, and/or other experimental conditions. Nonetheless, a number of different signaling pathways have been identified as potentially modulating and/or triggering the development of tolerance. Though complex and incompletely understood, the capacity of tolerance to impact lipid A-based therapeutics, either positively or negatively, is inarguable, thus underscoring the necessity for further investigation toward elucidating the mechanisms contributing to the development of tolerance to lipid A and its analogs.

Inhibition of corneal inflammation by the TLR4 antagonist Eritoran tetrasodium (E5564)

PURPOSE

To investigate the role of the TLR4/MD-2 antagonist eritoran tetrasodium in a murine model of contact lens-associated corneal infiltrates.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mouse corneas were abraded and treated with eritoran tetrasodium or placebo, either before or after stimulation with either LPS, the TLR2 ligand Pam(3)Cys, or antibiotic-killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A 2-mm punch from a silicon hydrogel contact lens was used to cover the corneal surface throughout the inhibition and stimulation period. Corneal infiltrates were detected by in vivo confocal microscopy and by immunohistochemistry for neutrophils. The effect of eritoran tetrasodium on stimulated human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs), macrophages, and neutrophils was also assessed.

RESULTS

Eritoran tetrasodium significantly inhibited CXC chemokine production in the cornea and development of corneal infiltrates, specifically neutrophils, in response to stimulation with LPS (TLR4), but not Pam(3)Cys (TLR2). When the antagonist was applied after LPS stimulation, neutrophil infiltration was also inhibited, although a higher concentration was needed. Furthermore, IL-8 production by TLR4- but not TLR2-stimulated HCECs, macrophages and neutrophils was also significantly reduced. Corneal inflammation induced by P. aeruginosa in the presence of tobramycin was found to be dependent on expression of TLR4 and MD-2 and is inhibited by eritoran tetrasodium.

CONCLUSIONS

Eritoran tetrasodium is a highly effective antagonist of TLR4/MD-2-dependent corneal inflammation.

Exogenous heat shock protein 70 mediates sepsis manifestations and decreases the mortality rate in rats

Mammalian responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria can lead to an uncontrolled inflammatory reaction that can be deadly for the host. We checked whether heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) protein is able to protect animals from the deleterious effects of bacterial LPS by monitoring the effect of exogenous Hsp70 injections before and after LPS administration. Our research with rats demonstrates for the first time that administration of exogeneous Hsp70 before and after LPS challenges can reduce mortality rates and modify several parameters of hemostasis and hemodynamics. Hsp70 isolated from bovine muscles showed significant protective effects against the impaired coagulation and fibrinolytic systems caused by LPS, and reduced the mortality caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium LPS injections significantly. Characteristically, Hsp70 preparations used in the experiments result in different effects when administered before and after an LPS challenge, and the effects of Hsp70 injections also differ significantly depending on the origin of the LPS (E coli vs S typhimurium). Based on our data, mammalian Hsp70 appears to be an attractive target in therapeutic strategies designed to stimulate endogenous protective mechanisms against many deleterious consequences of septic shock by accelerating the functional recovery of susceptible organs in humans.

Key inflammatory signaling pathways are regulated by the proteasome

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major structural component of all Gram-negative organisms and has been implicated in Gram-negative sepsis and septic shock. In the present study, Affymetrix microarray analysis of RNA derived from murine macrophages treated with LPS in the absence or presence of the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin revealed that the vast majority of genes regulated by LPS is under control of the proteasome. Analysis of the data has revealed that the products of these genes participate in 14 distinct signaling pathways. This represents a novel approach to the identification of signaling pathways that are both toll-like receptor 4- and proteasome-dependent and may lead to the development of new drug targets in Gram-negative sepsis and septic shock.

Regulatory Roles for MD-2 and TLR4 in Ligand-Induced Receptor Clustering

LPS, a principal membrane component in Gram-negative bacteria, is recognized by a receptor complex consisting of TLR4 and MD-2. MD-2 is an extracellular molecule that is associated with the extracellular domain of TLR4 and has a critical role in LPS recognition. MD-2 directly interacts with LPS, and the region from Phe(119) to Lys(132) (Arg(132) in mice) has been shown to be important for interaction between LPS and TLR4/MD-2. With mouse MD-2 mutants, we show in this study that Gly(59) was found to be a novel critical amino acid for LPS binding outside the region 119-132. LPS signaling is thought to be triggered by ligand-induced TLR4 clustering, which is also regulated by MD-2. Little is known, however, about a region or an amino acid in the MD-2 molecule that regulates ligand-induced receptor clustering. MD-2 mutants substituting alanine for Phe(126) or Gly(129) impaired LPS-induced TLR4 clustering, but not LPS binding to TLR4/MD-2, demonstrating that ligand-induced receptor clustering is differentially regulated by MD-2 from ligand binding. We further show that dissociation of ligand-induced receptor clustering and of ligand-receptor interaction occurs in a manner dependent on TLR4 signaling and requires endosomal acidification. These results support a principal role for MD-2 in LPS recognition.

Intracellular LPS inhibits the activity of potassium channels and fails to activate NFkappaB in human macrophages

Although much has been learned about signal transduction mechanisms and binding proteins involved in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced activation of monocytes/macrophages, little is known about the ability of internalized LPS to activate cells. To approach this question we either exposed macrophages to LPS or microinjected the cells with LPS before studying early cellular events associated with LPS-mediated macrophage activation. We measured membrane currents and translocation of NFkappaB to the nucleus. Using the whole-cell patch clamp technique ion channels were analyzed and characterized as K+ sensitive inward and outward currents. Exogenous LPS was shown to increase the voltage-dependent outward current whereas the voltage-dependent inward current was unaffected. However when cells were microinjected with LPS both inward and outward current were completely abolished. The presence of LPS within the cells did not prevent them to perform phagocytosis or to respond to fMLP with an appropriate increase in [Ca2+]i. The immunocytological detection of NFkappaB p65 translocation revealed that exogenous LPS led to the nuclear localization of the p65 subunit of NFkappaB, whereas only the cytoplasmic localization of p65 was observed following microinjection of LPS. These data show that one major process in macrophage activation, the NFkappaB dependent transcription of a number of genes encoding for many inflammatory mediators cannot be induced by intracellular LPS but requires the interaction of LPS with external membrane components. However intracellular LPS causes a drastic decrease in potassium currents which by keeping the cell membrane at a depolarized potential may result in changed biological answers of these cells.

Phospholipids Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Cell Activation: A Role for LPS-Binding Protein

The inhibition of LPS-induced cell activation by specific antagonists is a long-known phenomenon; however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. It is commonly accepted that the membrane-bound receptors mCD14 and TLR4 are involved in the activation of mononuclear cells by LPS and that activation may be enhanced by soluble LPS-binding protein (LBP). Hexaacylated Escherichia coli lipid A has the highest cytokine-inducing capacity, whereas lipid A with four fatty acids (precursor IVa, synthetic compound 406) is endotoxically inactive, but expresses antagonistic activity against active LPS. Seeking to unravel basic molecular principles underlying antagonism, we investigated phospholipids with structural similarity to compound 406 with respect to their antagonistic activity. The tetraacylated diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin, CL) exhibits high structural similarity to 406, and our experiments showed that CL strongly inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha release when added to the cells before stimulation or as a CL/LPS mixture. Also negatively charged and to a lesser degree zwitterionic diacyl phospholipids inhibited LPS-induced cytokine production. Using Abs against LBP, we could show that the activation of cells by LPS was dependent on the presence of cell-associated LBP, thus making LBP a possible target for the antagonistic action of phospholipids. In experiments investigating the LBP-mediated intercalation of LPS and phospholipids into phospholipid liposomes mimicking the macrophage membrane, we could show that preincubation of soluble LBP with phospholipids leads to a significant reduction of LPS intercalation. In summary, we show that LBP is a target for the inhibitory function of phospholipids.

The proteasome as a lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in macrophages: differential effects of proteasome inhibition on lipopolysaccharide-induced signaling events

We have developed a novel LPS probe using a highly purified and homogenous preparation of [(3)H] Escherichia coli LPS from the deep rough mutant, which contains a covalently linked, photoactivable 4-p-(azidosalicylamido)-butylamine group. This cross-linker was used to identify the LPS-binding proteins in membranes of the murine-macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7. The alpha-subunit (PSMA1 C2, 29.5 kDa) and the beta-subunit (PSMB4 N3, 24.36 kDa) of the 20S proteasome complex were identified as LPS-binding proteins. This is the first report demonstrating LPS binding to enzymes such as the proteasome subunits. Functionally, LPS enhanced the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome to degrade synthetic peptides in vitro and, conversely, the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin completely blocked the LPS-induced proteasome's chymotrypsin activity as well as macrophage TNF-alpha secretion and the expression of multiple inflammatory mediator genes. Lactacystin also completely blocked the LPS-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 2 mRNA. In addition, lactacystin dysregulated mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated macrophages, but failed to inhibit IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 activity. Importantly, lactacystin also prevented LPS-induced shock in mice. These data strongly suggest that the proteasome complex regulates the LPS-induced signal transduction and that it may be an important therapeutic target in Gram-negative sepsis.

Cellular antiendotoxin activities of lung surfactant protein C in lipid vesicles

The respiratory system is continuously exposed to airborne particles containing lipopolysaccharide. Our laboratory established previously that the hydrophobic surfactant protein C (SP-C) binds to lipopolysaccharide and to one of its cellular receptors, CD14. Here we examined the influence of SP-C, and of a synthetic analog, on some cellular in vitro effects of lipopolysaccharide. When associated with vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, SP-C inhibits the binding of a tritium-labeled lipopolysaccharide to the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Under similar conditions of presentation, SP-C inhibits the mitogenic effect of lipopolysaccharide on mouse splenocytes, and inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by peritoneal and alveolar macrophages, and of nitric oxide by RAW 264.7 cells. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor-alpha production induced by a lipopeptide, and nitric oxide production induced by picolinic acid, were not affected by SP-C. The lipopolysaccharide-binding capacity of SP-C is resistant to peroxynitrite, a known mediator of acute lung injury formed by reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide anions. These results indicate that SP-C may play a role in lung defense; SP-C resists degradation under inflammatory conditions and traps lipopolysaccharide, preventing it from inducing production of noxious mediators in alveolar cells.

Cytoplasmic bacterial lipopolysaccharide does not induce NFkappaB activation or NFkappaB mediated activation signals in human macrophages and an LPS reporter cell line

Although many membrane components have been described to be involved in the activation of cells by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the question remains whether LPS, once internalized by target cells, is also capable of interacting with cytoplasmic elements in such a way that activation of cells results independently of receptor engagement. This is an important aspect to consider with respect to the development of strategies aimed at attenuating adverse effects of LPS in the framework of bacterial infections. In this study, human monocyte derived macrophages as representatives of one of the primary target cells activated by LPS, were microinjected with LPS to circumvent exogenous LPS stimulation. Parameters correlating to cytoplasmic activation of the nuclear transcription factor NFkappaB (intracellular calcium mobilization), to nuclear translocation of the NFkappaB p65 subunit and to mRNA-transcription of inflammatory cytokines known to be expressed upon exogenous LPS-stimulation and to require NFkappaB activation (interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha) were investigated. In addition, the LPS-reporter cell line 3E10, which contains a reporter gene under the control of an NFkappaB-inducible promoter was analyzed with respect to NFkappaB nuclear translocation and reporter gene expression. None of the cellular systems used and none of the parameters investigated led to the observation that intracellular LPS leads to activation of the cells in comparison to external LPS stimulation. These experiments allow the conclusion that LPS in the cytoplasmic compartment does not lead to NFkappaB translocation, cytokine mRNA transcription, and NFkappaB dependent protein expression and suggest that these activation parameters require the interaction of LPS with external membrane components.

Lipid A structures containing novel lipid moieties: synthesis and adjuvant properties

Structurally well-defined immune stimulatory molecules are important components of new generation molecular vaccines. In this paper, the design and synthesis of two lipid A analogues containing an unnatural tri-lipid acyl group are described. In a totally synthetic liposomal vaccine system, these re-designed lipid A analogues demonstrate potent immune stimulatory properties including antigen specific T-cell activation.

Toll receptors, CD14, and macrophage activation and deactivation by LPS

This review will focus on the molecular mechanisms of macrophage activation and desensitization by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The most recent advances in the understanding of the function of the LPS receptor complex and its role in the development of the septic shock syndrome and endotoxin tolerance will be discussed.