Chiaki Nishitani

Pulmonary collectins in innate immunity of the lung.

Pulmonary collectins, hydrophilic surfactant proteins A and D (SP‐A and SP‐D), have been implicated in the regulation of pulmonary host defence and inflammation. SP‐A and SP‐D directly interact with a variety of microorganisms including bacteria and viruses, and attenuate the growth of Gram‐negative bacteria, Histoplasma capsulatum and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The collectins are thought to contribute to bacterial clearance. These lectins augment the phagocytosis of the bacteria by macrophages. SP‐A serves as an opsonin and stimulates the uptake of bacteria and bacillus Calmette‐Guérin through a C1q receptor‐ and an SP‐R210‐mediated processes. The collectin also stimulates FcR‐ and CR1‐mediated phagocytosis by activating the macrophages. In addition, SP‐A and SP‐D directly interact with macrophages and enhance the phagocytosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium by increasing cell surface localization of the phagocytic receptors, scavenger receptor A and mannose receptor. The collectins also modulate pulmonary inflammation. SP‐A and SP‐D bind to cell surface receptors including Toll‐like receptors, SIRPα and calreticulin/CD91, and attenuate or enhance inflammation in a microbial ligand‐specific manner. In this article we review the immunomodulatory functions of SP‐A and SP‐D and their possible mechanisms in direct actions on microbes, macrophage phagocytosis and modulation of inflammation.

Anionic Pulmonary Surfactant Phospholipids Inhibit Inflammatory Responses from Alveolar Macrophages and U937 Cells by Binding the Lipopolysaccharide-interacting Proteins CD14 and MD-2

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), derived from Gram-negative bacteria, is a major cause of acute lung injury and respiratory distress syndrome. Pulmonary surfactant is secreted as a complex mixture of lipids and proteins onto the alveolar surface of the lung. Surfactant phospholipids are essential in reducing surface tension at the air-liquid interface and preventing alveolar collapse at the end of the respiratory cycle. In the present study, we determined that palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol, which are minor components of pulmonary surfactant, and synthetic dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol regulated the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages. The anionic lipids significantly inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α production from rat and human alveolar macrophages and a U937 cell line by reducing the LPS-elicited phosphorylation of multiple intracellular protein kinases. The anionic lipids were also effective at attenuating inflammation when administered intratracheally to mice challenged with LPS. Binding studies revealed high affinity interactions between the palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol and the Toll-like receptor 4-interacting proteins CD14 and MD-2. Our data clearly identify important anti-inflammatory properties of the minor surfactant phospholipids at the environmental interface of the lung.

Pulmonary Surfactant Protein D Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Inflammatory Cell Responses by Altering LPS Binding to Its Receptors

Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a member of the collectin family that plays an important role in regulating innate immunity of the lung. We examined the mechanisms by which SP-D modulates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-elicited inflammatory cell responses. SP-D bound to a complex of recombinant soluble forms of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and MD-2 with high affinity and down-regulated tumor necrosis factor-α secretion and NF-κB activation elicited by rough and smooth LPS, in alveolar macrophages and TLR4/MD-2-transfected HEK293 cells. Cell surface binding of both serotypes of LPS to TLR4/MD-2-expressing cells was attenuated by SP-D. In addition, SP-D significantly reduced MD-2 binding to both serotypes of LPS. A chimera containing the N-terminal region and the collagenous domain of surfactant protein A, and the coiled-coil neck and lectin domains of SP-D, was a weak inhibitor of LPS-induced cell responses and MD-2 binding to LPS, compared with native SP-D. The collagenase-resistant fragment consisting of the neck plus the carbohydrate recognition domain of SP-D also was a very weak inhibitor of LPS activation. This study demonstrates that SP-D down-regulates LPS-elicited inflammatory responses by altering LPS binding to its receptors and reveals the importance of the correct oligomeric structure of the protein in this process.

HIV-1 Vpr induces TLR4/MyD88-mediated IL-6 production and reactivates viral production from latency

Vpr, a HIV‐1 accessory protein, was believed to be present in the plasma of HIV‐1‐positive patients, and our previous work demonstrated the presence of plasma Vpr in 20 out of 52 patients. Interestingly, our data revealed that patients’ viral titer was correlated with the level of Vpr detected in their plasma. Here, we first show that rVpr, when incubated with human monocytes or MDMs, caused viral production from latently infected cells, and IL‐6 was identified as a responsible factor. The induction of IL‐6 by rVpr was dependent on signaling through TLR4 and its adaptor molecule, MyD88. We next provide evidence that rVpr induced the formation of OxPC and that a mAb against OxPC blocked rVpr‐induced IL‐6 production with the concomitant attenuation of MAPK activation. Moreover, the addition of NAC, a scavenger of ROS, abrogated the rVpr‐induced formation of OxPC, the phosphorylation of C/EBP‐β, a substrate of MAPK, and IL‐6 production. As rIL‐6 reactivated viral replication in latently infected cells, our data indicate that rVpr‐induced oxidative stress triggers cell‐based innate immune responses and reactivates viral production in latently infected cells via IL‐6 production. Our results suggest that Vpr should be monitored based on the viral titer, and they provide the rationale for the development of novel, anti‐AIDS therapeutics targeting Vpr.

Pulmonary Collectins Protect Macrophages against Pore-forming Activity of Legionella pneumophila and Suppress Its Intracellular Growth

Pulmonary collectins, surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D), play important roles in innate immunity of the lung. Legionella pneumophila is a bacterial respiratory pathogen that can replicate within macrophages and causes opportunistic infections. L. pneumophila possesses cytolytic activity, resulting from insertion of pores in the macrophage membrane upon contact. We examined whether pulmonary collectins play protective roles against L. pneumophila infection. SP-A and SP-D bound to L. pneumophila and its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibited the bacterial growth in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The addition of LPS in the culture blocked the inhibitory effects on L. pneumophila growth by the collectins, indicating the importance of LPS-collectin interaction. When differentiated THP-1 cells were infected with L. pneumophila in the presence of SP-A and SP-D, the number of permeable cells was significantly decreased, indicating that pulmonary collectins inhibit pore-forming activity of L. pneumophila. The number of live bacteria within the macrophages on days 1–4 after infection was significantly decreased when infection was performed in the presence of pulmonary collectins. The phagocytosis experiments with the pH-sensitive dye-labeled bacteria revealed that pulmonary collectins promoted bacterial localization to an acidic compartment. In addition, SP-A and SP-D significantly increased the number of L. pneumophila co-localized with LAMP-1. These results indicate that pulmonary collectins protect macrophages against contact-dependent cytolytic activity of L. pneumophila and suppress intracellular growth of the phagocytosed bacteria. The promotion of lysosomal fusion with Legionella-containing phagosomes constitutes a likely mechanism of L. pneumophila growth suppression by the collectins.

A single base mutation in the PRAT4A gene reveals differential interaction of PRAT4A with Toll-like receptors

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an essential role in defense responses. Immune cells express multiple TLRs which are simultaneously activated by microbial pathogens. PRotein Associated with Tlr4 A (PRAT4A) is a chaperone-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein required for the proper subcellular distribution of multiple TLRs. PRAT4A(-/-) mice show impaired expression of TLR2/4 on the cell surface and the lack of ligand-induced TLR9 relocation from the ER to endolysosome. Consequently, TLR responses to whole bacteria as well as to TLR2, 4 and 9 ligands are impaired. We here compare the interaction of these TLRs with PRAT4A. Association of endogenous PRAT4A was easily detected only with TLR4. The TLR4 region responsible for strong interaction with PRAT4A is very close to the site necessary for interaction with MD-2. By using transient expression, we were able to detect PRAT4A interaction with TLR2 and TLR9. The PRAT4A single-nucleotide mutant replacing methionine 145 with lysine (M145K) associates with TLR9 but does not rescue ligand-dependent TLR9 trafficking. By contrast, the M145K mutant weakly, if at all, associates with TLR2 and TLR4. The M145K mutant appreciably rescues cell-surface TLR2 expression and its responses in PRAT4A(-/-) bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, whereas little if any rescue of cell-surface TLR4/MD-2 expression and its responses occurs. These results demonstrate that PRAT4A differentially interacts with each TLR and suggest that a single-nucleotide change in the PRAT4A gene influences not only the strength of TLR responses but can also alter the relative activity of each TLR.

TLR4–MD-2 complex is negatively regulated by an endogenous ligand, globotetraosylceramide

Although endogenous ligands for Toll-like receptor (TLR)4–myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) have not been well-understood, we here report that a globo-series glycosphingolipid, globotetraosylceramide (Gb4), attenuates the toxicity of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) by binding to TLR4–MD-2. Because α1,4-galactosyltransferase (A4galt)-deficient mice lacking globo-series glycosphingolipids showed higher sensitivity to LPS than wild-type mice, we examined mechanisms by which globo-series glycosphingolipids attenuate LPS toxicity. Cultured endothelial cells lacking A4galt showed higher expression of LPS-inducible genes upon LPS treatment. In turn, introduction of A4galt cDNA resulted in the neo expression of Gb4, leading to the reduced expression of LPS-inducible genes. Exogenous Gb4 induced similar effects. As a mechanism for the suppressive effects of Gb4 on LPS signals, specific binding of Gb4 to the LPS receptor TLR4–MD-2 was demonstrated by coprecipitation of Gb4 with recombinant MD-2 and by native PAGE. A docking model also supported these data. Taken together with colocalization of TLR4–MD-2 with Gb4 in lipid rafts after LPS stimulation, it was suggested that Gb4 competes with LPS for binding to TLR4–MD-2. Finally, administration of Gb4 significantly protected mice from LPS-elicited mortality. These results suggest that Gb4 is an endogenous ligand for TLR4–MD-2 and is capable of attenuating LPS toxicity, indicating the possibility for its therapeutic application in endotoxin shock.

Pulmonary surfactant protein D binds MD-2 through the carbohydrate recognition domain.

Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a member of the collectin family and plays crucial roles in the innate immunity of the lung. We have previously shown that surfactant protein A (SP-A), a homologous collectin, interacts with MD-2 and alters lipopolysaccharide signaling. In this study, we examined and characterized the binding of SP-D to MD-2 using a soluble form of recombinant MD-2 (sMD-2). SP-D bound in a concentration- and Ca(2+)-dependent manner to sMD-2 coated onto microtiter wells. Excess mannose abolished the binding of SP-D to sMD-2. In solution, SP-D cosedimented with sMD-2 in the presence of Ca(2+). The direct binding of SP-D to sMD-2 was confirmed by BIAcore analysis. Anti-SP-D monoclonal antibody that recognizes the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of SP-D significantly inhibited the binding of SP-D to sMD-2, indicating the involvement of the CRD for the binding to sMD-2. Ligand blot analysis revealed that SP-D bound to N-glycopeptidase F-treated sMD-2. In addition, the biotinylated SP-D pulled down the mutant sMD-2 with Asn(26) --> Ala and Asn(114) --> Ala substitutions, which lacks the consensus for N-glycosylation. Furthermore, the sMD-2 mutant cosedimented SP-D. These results demonstrate that SP-D directly interacts with MD-2 through the CRD.

The Microtubule-binding Protein Hook3 Interacts with a Cytoplasmic Domain of Scavenger Receptor A

The class A scavenger receptor (SR-A) is a multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein that is implicated in atherogenesis, innate immunity, and cell adhesion. Despite extensive structure-function studies of the receptor, intracellular molecules that directly interact with SR-A and regulate the receptor trafficking have not been determined. In the current study, we have identified a microtubule-binding protein, Hook3, as a novel interacting partner of SR-A. The association between a rat Hook3 isoform and SR-A was suggested by yeast two-hybrid screening and mass spectrometry analysis of SR-A-cytoplasmic domain-bound proteins in rat alveolar macrophages. The binding of overexpressed and endogenous human Hook3 to SR-A was demonstrated by pull-down assay and co-immunoprecipitations. Furthermore, endogenous murine SR-A and HK3 co-sedimented from cell lysates isolated from Raw264.7 murine macrophage cells. The interaction of Hook3 with SR-A was significantly stimulated after SR-A had recognized the extracellular ligand. Studies using truncations demonstrated that the positively charged C-terminal Val614–Ala717 region of human Hook3 was required for the interaction with the negatively charged residues, Glu12, Asp13, and Asp15 in the human SR-A cytoplasmic domain. By transfecting small interfering RNA targeting Hook3, total and surface expression, receptor-mediated ligand uptake and protein stability of SR-A were significantly promoted, whereas the protein synthesis and maturation were not altered. We propose for the first time that Hook3 may participate in the turnover of the endocytosed scavenger receptor.

Mannose binding lectin and lung collectins interact with Toll-like receptor 4 and MD-2 by different mechanisms.

BACKGROUNDnWe have previously shown that lung collectins, surfactant protein A (SP-A) and surfactant protein D, interact with Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, or MD-2. Bindings of lung collectins to TLR2 and TLR4/MD-2 result in the alterations of signaling through these receptors, suggesting the immunomodulatory functions of lung collectins. Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is another collectin molecule which has structural homology to SP-A. The interaction between MBL and TLRs has not yet been determined.nnnMETHODSnWe prepared recombinant MBL, and analyzed its bindings to recombinant soluble forms of TLR4 (sTLR4) and MD-2.nnnRESULTSnMBL bound to sTLR4 and MD-2. The interactions were Ca2+-dependent and inhibited by mannose or monoclonal antibody against the carbohydrate-recognition domain of MBL. Treatment of sTLR4 or MD-2 by peptide N-glycosidase F significantly decreased the binding of MBL. SP-A bound to deglycosylated sTLR4, and this property did not change in chimeric molecules of SP-A/MBL in which Glu195-Phe228 or Thr174-Gly194 of SP-A were replaced with the corresponding MBL sequences.nnnGENERAL SIGNIFICANCEnThese results suggested that MBL binds to TLR4 and MD-2 through the carbohydrate-recognition domain, and that oligosaccharide moieties of TLR4 and MD-2 are important for recognition by MBL. Since our previous studies indicated that lung collectins bind to the peptide portions of TLRs, MBL and lung collectins interact with TLRs by different mechanisms. These direct interactions between MBL and TLR4 or MD-2 suggest that MBL may modulate cellular responses by altering signals through TLRs.