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ABSTRACT: RIG-I-like receptors (RLR) are intracellular sensors utilized by nearly all cell types for recognition of viral RNA, initiation of antiviral defense, and induction of type I interferons (IFN). TBK1 is a critical kinase implicated in RLR-dependent IFN transcription. Posttranslational modification of TBK1 by K63-linked ubiquitin is required for RLR driven signaling. However, the TBK1 ubiquitin acceptor sites and the function of ubiquitinated TBK1 in the signaling cascade are unknown. We now show that TBK1 is ubiquitinated on residues K69, K154, and K372 in response to infection with RNA virus. The K69 and K154 residues are critical for innate antiviral responses and IFN production. Ubiquitinated TBK1 recruits the downstream adaptor NEMO through ubiquitin binding domains. The assembly of the NEMO/TBK1 complex on the mitochondrial protein MAVS leads to activation of TBK1 kinase activity and phosphorylation of the transcription factor, interferon response factor 3. The combined results refine current views of RLR signaling, define the role of TBK1 polyubiquitination, and detail the mechanisms involved in signalosome assembly.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(9):e43756. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To systematically investigate innate immune signaling networks regulating production of type I interferon, we analyzed protein complexes formed after microbial recognition. Fifty-eight baits were associated with 260 interacting proteins forming a human innate immunity interactome for type I interferon (HI5) of 401 unique interactions; 21% of interactions were modulated by RNA, DNA, or LPS. Overexpression and depletion analyses identified 22 unique genes that regulated NF-κB and ISRE reporter activity, viral replication, or virus-induced interferon production. Detailed mechanistic analysis defined a role for mind bomb (MIB) E3 ligases in K63-linked ubiquitination of TBK1, a kinase that phosphorylates IRF transcription factors controlling interferon production. Mib genes selectively controlled responses to cytosolic RNA. MIB deficiency reduced antiviral activity, establishing the role of MIB proteins as positive regulators of antiviral responses. The HI5 provides a dynamic physical and regulatory network that serves as a resource for mechanistic analysis of innate immune signaling.
Immunity 09/2011; 35(3):426-40. · 21.64 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Th1/Th17 cells, secreting both IFNgamma and IL-17, are often associated with inflammatory pathology. We cloned and studied the cytokine phenotypes of MBP-specific, TCR-identical encephalitogenic CD4+ cells in relationship to Th1- and Th17-associated transcription factors T-bet and RORgammat. IFNgamma-producing cells could be sub-divided into those that are T-bet(+)/RORgammat(-) and those that are T-bet(+)/RORgammat(+). The latter comprises a spectrum of phenotypes, as defined by IL-17 production, and can be induced to up-regulate IL-23R with IL-12 or IL-23. The former, bona fide Th1 cells, lack IL-23R expression under all conditions. In vivo, T-bet(+)/RORgammat(-) and T-bet(+)/RORgammat(+) clones induce EAE equally well.
Journal of neuroimmunology 09/2009; 215(1-2):10-24. · 2.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is a key mediator in TNF signaling. Previous studies suggested that TRAF2 functions as an adaptor in the NF-kappaB and AP-1 pathways. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which TRAF2 relays signals are unknown. We previously reported that TRAF2 is phosphorylated following TNF stimulation and now identify the PKC kinases responsible for phosphorylation. Phosphorylated TRAF2 facilitates recruitment of IKKalpha and IKKbeta to the TNF receptor. Phosphorylation also determines K63-linked polyubiquitination of TRAF2 at lysine 31. TRAF2 K63-linked ubiquitination contributes to associations with TAB2/3 and activation of the downstream IKK and JNK kinases. The combined data reveal that phosphorylation of TRAF2 plays a critical role in TNF signaling by directing the IKK complex to the membrane, promoting TRAF2 K63-linked ubiquitination, and positioning the IKKalpha and IKKbeta chains with the TAK1/TAB kinase.
Molecular cell 02/2009; 33(1):30-42. · 14.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Several members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family including MEKK3 and TGFbeta-activating kinase (TAK1) play nonredundant roles in activation of the NF-kappaB transcription factor. However, the mechanism by which MEKK3 mediates NF-kappaB signaling is not fully understood. In this report we investigate the association of murine MEKK3 with other proteins and their roles in NF-kappaB activation. Using tandem affinity purification TAK1 was identified as an endogenous protein that interacts with MEKK3. MEKK3-TAK1 interactions were confirmed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and coimmunoprecipitation. MEKK3-TAK1 complexes contain non-phosphorylated forms of both molecules. Expression of non-phosphorylated TAK1 interferes with MEKK3 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB reporter activity induced by transient MEKK3 expression or TNFalpha stimulation. Addition of TAB1 facilitates TAK1 autophosphorylation and reverses the inhibitory effects of TAK1 on MEKK3 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB signal transduction in human 293 cells and TAK1 deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The data provide insights into the homeostatic interactions that maintain basal NF-kappaB levels by holding the enzymes MEKK3 and TAK1 in their inactive state.
Cellular Signalling 05/2008; 20(4):705-13. · 4.06 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Both T(H)1 and T(H)17 lymphocytes are implicated in inducing EAE. In mice lacking IFNgamma, T(H)17 are assumed to be the subset responsible for inflammation induction. Here, we demonstrate that IFNgamma KO mice have two additional effector subsets, one that up-regulates T(H)17-associated pro-inflammatory genes, but does not make IL-17 protein, and a second that utilizes IL-12-related elements of the T(H)1 pathway in an IFNgamma-independent manner. In vivo, these two subsets induce demonstrably different disease. By using homogeneous T cell lines, we can dissect the population of autoimmune effector cells, and demonstrate the multiplicity of pro-inflammatory pathways important in disease processes.
Journal of Neuroimmunology 01/2008; 192(1-2):3-12. · 2.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Given the shortage of liver donors and the development of techniques for partial liver transplantation, we compared chemokine expression and inflammatory cell infiltration of partial versus whole grafts in a mouse syngeneic liver transplant model.
Orthotopic liver transplantation, using whole or partial murine liver grafts, was performed following cold preservation in ViaSpan solution for periods of one to eight hours.
Partial grafts showed more severe cold ischemia/reperfusion injury and greater inflammatory cell infiltration than whole grafts, and was accompanied by the marked intrahepatic upregulation of multiple chemokines. Quantitative analysis showed that compared with expression in whole grafts harvested after the same period of cold ischemia, partial grafts had eightfold more T-cell activation gene (TCA)-3 (CCL1) chemokine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression (P<0.01) and sixfold more inducible protein (IP)-10 chemokine (CCL10) mRNA expression (P<0.01), as well as increased expression of the chemokine receptors CCR8 (receptor for TCA3) and CXCR3 (receptor for IP-10; P<0.01). Blockade of TCA3 by neutralizing monoclonal antibody significantly decreased intragraft IP-10 expression (P<0.05) but not tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-6 expression in partial grafts, and significantly decreased cold ischemia/reperfusion injury (P<0.05) and associated neutrophil and T-cell infiltration (P<0.01).
These data demonstrate that the chemokine TCA3/CCL1 is important to the pathogenesis of ischemic injury of experimental partial liver grafts, and that its therapeutic targeting within such grafts can overcome the deleterious effects of prolonged cold preservation and restore liver function to the level achieved using whole liver grafts.
Transplantation 01/2007; 82(11):1501-9. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Regulation of NF-kappaB activation is controlled by a series of kinases; however, the roles of phosphatases in regulating this pathway are poorly understood. We report a systematic RNAi screen of phosphatases that modulate NF-kappaB activity. Nineteen of 250 phosphatase genes were identified as regulators of NF-kappaB signaling in astrocytes. RNAi selectively regulates endogenous chemokine and cytokine expression. Coimmunoprecipitation identified associations of distinct protein phosphatase 2A core or holoenzymes with the IKK, NF-kappaB, and TRAF2 complexes. Dephosphorylation of these complexes leads to modulation of NF-kappaB transcriptional activity. In contrast to IKK and NF-kappaB, TRAF2 phosphorylation has not been well elucidated. We show that the Thr117 residue in TRAF2 is phosphorylated following TNFalpha stimulation. This phosphorylation process is modulated by PP2A and is required for TRAF2 functional activity. These results provide direct evidence for TNF-induced TRAF2 phosphorylation and demonstrate that phosphorylation is regulated at multiple levels in the NF-kappaB pathway.
Molecular Cell 12/2006; 24(4):497-509. · 14.18 Impact Factor
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Immunological Reviews 04/2006; 106(1):93 - 114. · 11.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although certain chemokines and their receptors guide homeostatic recirculation of T cells and others promote recruitment of activated T cells to inflammatory sites, little is known of the mechanisms underlying a third function, migration of Foxp3(+) regulatory T (T reg) cells to sites where they maintain unresponsiveness. We studied how T reg cells are recruited to cardiac allografts in recipients tolerized with CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb) plus donor-specific transfusion (DST). Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that intragraft Foxp3 levels in tolerized recipients were approximately 100-fold higher than rejecting allografts or allografts associated with other therapies inducing prolonged survival but not tolerance. Foxp3(+) cells were essential for tolerance because pretransplant thymectomy or peritransplant depletion of CD25(+) cells prevented long-term survival, as did CD25 mAb therapy in well-functioning allografts after CD154/DST therapy. Analysis of multiple chemokine pathways showed that tolerance was accompanied by intragraft up-regulation of CCR4 and one of its ligands, macrophage-derived chemokine (CCL22), and that tolerance induction could not be achieved in CCR4(-/-) recipients. We conclude that Foxp3 expression is specifically up-regulated within allografts of mice displaying donor-specific tolerance, that recruitment of Foxp3-expressing T reg cells to an allograft tissue is dependent on the chemokine receptor, CCR4, and that, in the absence of such recruitment, tolerizing strategies such as CD154 mAb therapy are ineffectual.
Journal of Experimental Medicine 05/2005; 201(7):1037-44. · 13.85 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Stimulation with the chemokine KC induces an autocrine response in mouse astrocytes. A requirement for NF-kappa B was established for KC self-induction. NF-kappa B inhibitors, p65 antisense oligonucleotides, or dominant-negative Ikappa Balpha inhibited this autocrine response. Mutation of a specific kappa B site in the KC promoter also blocked KC self-induction. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and in vivo footprinting confirmed the direct binding of NF-kappa B to the KC promoter. However, neither NF-kappa B nuclear translocation, increased Ikappa B degradation, nor upregulation of NF-kappa B DNA binding activity was observed after KC stimulation. Reporter gene assays demonstrated KC-upregulated NF-kappa B transcriptional activity, and this effect was inhibited by dominant-negative IkappaBalpha. Accumulation of NF-kappaB was noted within the nucleus in the presence of nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B, demonstrating constitutive shuttling of NF-kappa B between the cytoplasm and nucleus. Blocking NF-kappa B shuttling inhibited KC transcription. KC induced p65 phosphorylation, which was critical for NF-kappa B activation as determined with the Gal-4-p65 fusion protein and mutation of p65 phosphorylation sites. In conclusion, low-level nuclear NF-kappa B is essential for KC self-induction, and this effect is mediated by shuttling and phosphorylation of NF-kappa B. The results outline a novel mechanism for NF-kappa B participation in transcription regulation.
Glia 01/2005; 48(4):327-36. · 4.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Islet allografts are subject to rapid rejection through host cellular immune responses involving mononuclear cell recruitment and tissue injury. Interruption of leukocyte recruitment through chemokine receptor targeting is of therapeutic benefit in various experimental models, but little is known about the contribution of chemokine pathways to islet allograft rejection. We found that murine islets produce monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; CCL2) in vitro and that islet allograft rejection was associated with intragraft expression of MCP-1 and its receptor, CCR2. We therefore investigated whether MCP-1 and CCR2 are required for the rejection of fully MHC-disparate islet allografts. Wild-type mice treated with blocking anti-MCP-1 mAb plus a brief, subtherapeutic course of rapamycin had long-term islet allograft survival, in contrast to the effect of treatment with either mAb or rapamycin alone. CCR2(-/-) mice treated with rapamycin also maintained islet allografts long-term. Both MCP/CCR2- and rapamycin-sensitive signals were required for maximal proliferation of alloreactive T cells, suggesting that MCP-1/CCR2 induce rejection by promoting alloreactive T cell clonal expansion and homing and migration. Prolonged islet allograft survival achieved by blockade of the MCP-1/CCR2 pathway plus rapamycin therapy was accompanied by a mononuclear cell infiltrate expressing the inhibitory receptor, programmed death-1 (PD-1), and its ligand (PD-L1, B7-H1), and prolongation of islet allograft survival was abrogated by anti-PD-L1 mAb therapy. These data show that the blockade of MCP-1 binding to CCR2 in conjunction with subtherapeutic immunosuppression can have profound effects on islet allograft survival and implicate the expression of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in the regulation of physiologic responses in vivo.
The Journal of Immunology 01/2004; 171(12):6929-35. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Astrocytes respond to stimulation with the chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed) by production of a series of cytokines and chemokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). In the present study we demonstrate that RANTES induces TNF, which in turn stimulates subsequent production of MCP-1. TNF-R1 (p55) serves as the principal receptor responsible for MCP-1 synthesis. The results define an astrocyte proinflammatory cascade that amplifies synthesis of proinflammatory mediators. The implications of these findings to inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system are discussed.
Glia 09/2003; 43(2):119-27. · 4.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) is expressed in several inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system and is a powerful stimulus for astrocyte production of proinflammatory mediators. The mechanism of RANTES-mediated astrocyte activation was investigated. RANTES stimulation decreased both intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activity in cultures of primary mouse astrocytes. H-89, a potent inhibitor of PKA, mimicked RANTES-mediated chemokine and cytokine transcription. RANTES treatments activated Raf-1 kinase activity, and conversely a dominant negative Raf and a Raf-1 inhibitor blocked RANTES-induced chemokine transcription. Transfection with a constitutively active Raf was sufficient to induce transcription of proinflammatory mediators. The combined data indicate that Raf-1 is required for RANTES-mediated astrocyte activation. Decreases of cAMP and PKA activity contributed to the transcription of proinflammatory mediators by cross-talk with the Raf-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The results identify an upstream signaling pathway for amplification of proinflammatory mediators in the central nervous system.
The FASEB Journal 05/2003; 17(6):734-6. · 5.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Cultured mouse astrocytes respond to the CC chemokine RANTES by production of chemokine and cytokine transcripts. Stimulation of astrocytes with 1 nM RANTES or 3-10 nM of the structurally related chemokines (eotaxin, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha and -beta [MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta]) induced transcripts for KC, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), MIP-1alpha, MIP-2, and RANTES in a chemokine and cell-specific fashion. Synthesis of chemokine (KC and MCP-1) and cytokine (TNF-alpha) proteins was also demonstrated. RANTES-mediated chemokine synthesis was specifically inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating that G-protein-coupled chemokine receptors participated in astrocyte signaling. Astrocytes expressed CCR1 and CCR5 (the redundant RANTES receptors). Astrocytes derived from mice with targeted mutations of either CCR1 or CCR5 respond after RANTES stimulation, suggesting multiple chemokine receptors may separately mediate RANTES responsiveness in astrocytes. Preliminary data suggest activation of the MAP kinase pathway is also critical for RANTES-mediated signaling in astrocytes. Treatment with RANTES specifically modulated astrocyte receptors upregulating intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and downregulating CX3CR1 expression. Thus, after chemokine treatment, astrocytes release proinflammatory mediators and reprogram their surface molecules. The combined effects of RANTES may serve to amplify inflammatory responses within the central nervous system.
Glia 08/2002; 39(1):19-30. · 4.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: CCR2 and its major ligand, chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)/monocyte chemotactic protein-1, have been found to influence T1/T2 immune response polarization. Our objective was to directly compare the roles of CCR2 and CCL2 in T1/T2 immune response polarization using a model of pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Either deletion of CCR2 or treatment of wild-type mice with CCL2 neutralizing Ab produced significant and comparable reductions in macrophage and T cell recruitment into the lungs following infection. Both CCL2 neutralization and CCR2 deficiency resulted in significantly diminished IFN-gamma production, and increased IL-4 and IL-5 production by lung leukocytes (T1 to T2 switch), but only CCR2 deficiency promoted pulmonary eotaxin production and eosinophilia. In the lung-associated lymph nodes (LALN), CCL2-neutralized mice developed Ag-specific IFN-gamma-producing cells, while CCR2 knockout mice did not. LALN from CCR2 knockout mice also had fewer MHCII(+)CD11c(+) and MHCII(+)CD11b(+) cells, and produced significantly less IL-12p70 and TNF-alpha when stimulated with heat-killed yeast than LALN from wild-type or CCL2-neutralized mice, consistent with a defect in APC trafficking in CCR2 knockout mice. Neutralization of CCL2 in CCR2 knockout mice did not alter immune response development, demonstrating that the high levels of CCL2 in these mice did not play a role in T2 polarization. Therefore, CCR2 (but not CCL2) is required for afferent T1 development in the lymph nodes. In the absence of CCL2, T1 cells polarize in the LALN, but do not traffic from the lymph nodes to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary T2 response.
The Journal of Immunology 06/2002; 168(9):4659-66. · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) (> or =10 ng/ml) stimulates the induction of KC and other chemokines in astrocytes. Elements of the signal transduction pathway controlling this response were identified. RANTES induced phosphorylation of MEK, ERK1/2, p90 ribosomal S6 kinases (RSK), and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) in astrocytes. U0126, a pharmacological inhibitor of MEK, blocked the phosphorylation of the downstream elements ERK, RSK, and CREB, inhibited chemokine synthesis, and reduced transcription from a KC promoter construct. Dominant negative mutants of RSK or CREB blocked the transcription driven by the KC promoter. Finally, RANTES treatment induces nuclear translocation of phosphorylated RSK in astrocytes. This novel role for RSK in signaling chemokine responses and synthesis in astrocytes may contribute to the amplification mechanisms responsible for prolonging inflammatory responses in the central nervous system.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 05/2002; 277(21):19042-8. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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04/2001: pages 4.5.1 - 4.5.5; , ISBN: 9780471142737
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04/2001: pages 3.20.1 - 3.20.6; , ISBN: 9780471142737
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ABSTRACT: CD40 ligand-CD40 interactions are important in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), but it is unclear whether this interaction is critical for de novo recruitment of T cells, entry of T cells into the central nervous system (CNS), or effector function of T cells in vivo. In this report we define the role of CD40 in a model of progressive EAE that does not depend on epitope spread or recruitment of new myelin-specific T cells into the CNS. Results show that CD40 is not required for trans-migration of activated T cells through the endothelial blood-brain barrier, and in its absence T cells will both enter the CNS and induce disease. However, interaction with CD40 is critical for optimal activation and encephalitogenicity of cloned Th1 cells. In its presence, Th1 cells enter the CNS earlier and induce more severe disease. Inclusion of IL-12 during activation of Th1 cells in the absence of CD40 can override the otherwise suboptimal level of encephalitogenicity observed. The implication of these findings for theapeutic use of agents designed to block this pathway is discussed.
European Journal of Immunology 01/2001; 31(2):527 - 538. · 5.10 Impact Factor
