Halina Antosz

[Negative regulation of Toll-like receptor signalling].

The mechanism of innate immunity is based on the pattern recognition receptors (PRR) that recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens (PAMPs). Among PRR receptors Toll-like receptors (TLR) are distinguished. As a result of contact with pathogens, TLRs activate specific intracellular signaling pathways. It happens through proteins such as adaptor molecules, e.g. MyD88, TIRAP, TRIF, TRAM, and IPS-1, which participate in the cascade activation of kinases (IKK, MAP, RIP-1, TBK-1) as well as transcription factors (NF-κB, AP-1) and regulatory factor (IRF3). The result of this activation is the production of active proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, interferons and enzymes. The PRR pathways are controlled by extra- and intracellular molecules to prevent overexpression of PRR. They include soluble receptors (sTLR), transmembrane proteins (ST2, SIGIRR, RP105, TRAIL-R) and intracellular inhibitors (SOCS-1, SOCS-3, sMyD88, TOLLIP, IRAK-M, SARM, A20, β-arrestin, CYLD, SHP). These molecules maintain the balance between activation and inhibition and ensure balancing of the beneficial and adverse effects of antigen recognition.

TLR2 may influence the behavior of the malignant clone in B-CLL

B-cell receptor (BCR) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation and integration with signals from the pathogen or immune cells and their products determine the B-cell antibody response. Low expression of BCR is the hallmark of B lymphocytes in CLL, however little is known about the expression and function of TLR in B-CLL. We studied TLR2, TLR4, IL-6 and mIL-6Rα expression on mRNA and protein level in CD19(+) subpopulation of normal lymphocytes and the CD19(+)CD5(+) subpopulation from B-CLL. Experiments were performed on unstimulated and stimulated lymphocytes [Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli - TLR2- and TLR4-specific agonists, respectively]. We showed undetectable or low IL-6 expression, which seems to be specific for B-CLL lymphocytes. Induction of TLR4 mRNA upon LPS stimulation affected the expression of IL-6, but not of mIL-6Rα. Increased expression of TLR2 (MFI) after LPS and SAC stimulation did not correlate with mIL-6Rα receptor expression. B-CLL CD19(+)CD5(+) lymphocytes showed a significant increase in TLR2 expression at the protein level after stimulation with SAC and LPS compared to normal CD19(+) lymphocytes. TLR2 may influence the behaviour of the malignant clone in B-CLL.

Molecular bases of aberrant miR-182 expression in ovarian cancer.

The molecular bases of miR‐182 deregulation in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) remain unknown and its diagnostic or prognostic role in EOCs is still unclear. We performed miR‐182 expression analysis using a microarray approach and real‐time PCR (qPCR). We also used array comparative genomic hybridization and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation to study copy number changes and methylation aberrations within coding locus/promoter sequences of miR‐182 in EOC tissues, respectively. We have found that miR‐182 expression is significantly increased in EOC (P < 0.00001) and that higher miR‐182 expression in EOC is linked with significantly shorter overall survival (P = 0.026). The methylation of miR‐182 promoter was significantly associated with lower miR‐182 expression in EOC tissues (P = 0.045). miR‐182 over‐expression is connected with copy number (CN) gains of this miRNA coding sequences in EOC (P = 0.002), and the number of PRDM5 copies is significantly and inversely correlated with miR‐182 expression evaluated by qPCR (R = −0.615, P = 0.009). We conclude that the aberrant miR‐182 expression in EOC may be due to CN gains within its coding locus. The miR‐182 promoter is rarely methylated in EOC, and its methylation status is associated with lower miR‐182 expression. Deletion of the PRDM5 locus may play a supportive role in miR‐182 overexpression in EOC. miR‐182 is an unfavorable prognostic factor in EOC.

Aberrant TIRAP and MyD88 expression in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

TIRAP and Myd88 are adaptor proteins for Toll-like receptors-2 and -4 (TLR2/4) which are engaged in transducing the signal to downstream molecules. Several studies have shown the increased role of infection factors in pathogenesis of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). This prompted us to test whether there is a correlation between MyD88-TIRAP dynamics before and after inflammatory stimuli. We determined the mRNA and protein expression of TIRAP and MyD88 in CD5(+)CD19(+) B-CLL cells and in a subpopulation of normal B CD19(+) lymphocytes. Additionally we determined the influence of lipopolysaccharide Escherichia coli - TLR4-ligand (LPS) and Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I - TLR2-ligand (SAC) on TIR-domain-containing adaptor protein, also called MyD88 adaptor-like (TIRAP) and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) expression. We have found that the mRNA and protein expression of TIRAP and MyD88 in B-CLL lymphocytes is lower compared with that in normal B lymphocytes. LPS and SAC stimulation in normal lymphocytes significantly altered neither TIRAP nor MyD88 mRNA expression, whereas TIRAP protein level substantially decreased after TLR agonist treatment. We did not observe any changes in MyD88 protein level after B lymphocyte stimulation. There was a significant increase in TIRAP mRNA expression after LPS and SAC stimulation of B-CLL cells. MyD88 mRNA expression levels in B-CLL lymphocytes slightly decreased upon treatment with either stimulator. Stimulation with TLR agonists did not cause changes in TIRAP and MyD88 expression at the protein level in B-CLL lymphocytes. The results of our study suggest that there may exist a, yet unknown, defect of TIRAP and MyD88 proteins in B-CLL lymphocytes.

IL-6, IL-10, c-Jun and STAT3 expression in B-CLL

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by the accumulation of functionally abnormal, monoclonal B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen, resulting in a reduction count of normal immunocompetent cells and their impaired immune function. The defect in transmission of signals from various types of extracellular receptors, leading to aberrant cytokines and transcription factors gene expression, may underlie the basis of immune failure in B-CLL. The aim of the study was to assess of IL-6, IL-10, c-Jun, and STAT3 expression. In response to antigenic stimulation IL-6, IL-10, c-Jun, and STAT3 proteins induce mutual activity. The subject of the study was subpopulations of leukemic lymphocytes (CD5+ CD19+) and CD19+ B cells from healthy donors (control group). Our results provide evidence that the regulation of IL-6, IL-10, c-Jun, and STAT3 gene expression in CLL B cells is clearly different from normal B lymphocytes. In B-CLL STAT3 expression in unstimulated lymphocytes is significantly higher (p<0.0001) compared with normal subpopulation of B cell. In contrast, IL-6, IL-10, and c-Jun mRNA expressions are statistically lower in B-CLL in comparison with the control group, in all cases (p<0.0001). When analyzing the relationship between c-Jun expression and B-CLL stage according Rai we revealed decreasing c-Jun expression, both at the mRNA and protein levels, along with advancing stage of disease.

Different expression of CD180, CD284 and CD14 receptors on the CD19+ subpopulation of normal and B-CLL lymphocytes

Numerous experimental data indicate that B-CLL development and progression are influenced by antigenic pressure. It can not be excluded that these antigens may originate from bacteria and viruses. Toll like receptors (TLRs) interact with pathogen associated molecular patterns as part of innate immunity. TLRs are currently used to target different subclasses of B-cell leukemia, and TLR agonists are being evaluated in clinical trials. It is little known regarding the repertoire and function of TLR in B-CLL. The aim of the study was to assess the CD180, CD284 and mCD14 levels in CD19+ subpopulation of B-CLL peripheral blood lymphocytes and compare them with respective levels in the normal B-cells of adult volunteers, before and after LPS stimulation. We investigated the percentage of the CD19+CD180+, CD19+CD284+, CD19+CD14+ cells and the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD180, CD284 and CD14 antigens among CD19+ B-CLL as well as in the normal B cells for comparison. MFI analysis revealed that CD180, CD284 and CD14 expression was higher on normal B cells then on CD19+ B-CLL (MFI CD180: 99.16 vs. 25.3, MFI CD284: 7.37 vs. 5.79 and MFI CD14 25.07 vs. 8.32). After 24-hour LPS activation of B-cells, CD180 MFI appeared to decrease, in both healthy and B-CLL patients. CD284 MFI in healthy controls decreased after LPS stimulation while slight increase of MFI was observed in leukemic cells. CD14 MFI in leukemic cells was moderately higher after LPS in comparison to CD14 MFI without LPS stimulation, whereas CD14 MFI in normal CD19+ cells after LPS stimulation decreased over three times. Variations observed in expression of both normal and leukemic receptors may be due to their different sensitivity to antigenic stimulation.

Distinct IRAK4 Expression in Normal and B-CLL Lymphocytes

Toll-like receptors (TLR) signaling plays an important role in the B cell biology. It induces the maturation, proliferation and antibody production in response to pathogen recognition. Interleukin-1 Receptor-associated Kinase-4 (IRAK-4) is TLR downstream molecule which is of strategic importance in starting a cascade of NF-kappaB (Nuclear factor-kappaB) and MAPK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase) intracellular signaling pathways. The aim of the study was to identify the differences in IRAK-4 expression in normal and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) lymphocytes. We have also studied the IRAK-4 expression alteration upon TLR2/4 ligand stimulation in leukemic and normal B cells. We carried out Real-Time PCR and Western blot analysis of IRAK4 mRNA (RQ) and protein expression. The study were performed on the isolated CD19+ normal B lymphocytes and CLL cells (CD5+CD19+) before and 30 min after (Lipopolysaccharide) LPS and (Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I) SAC stimulation. IRAK-4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in normal CD19+ lymphocytes as compared to leukemic CD5+CD19+ subpopulation (RQ median 0.90 vs 0.54; p=0.012). In normal lymphocytes, LPS and SAC treatment led to significant IRAK-4 down-regulation both at mRNA (RQ median 0.90 vs 0.53 vs 0.40; p=0.03, p=0.01) and protein level, whereas generally there were no significant changes in IRAK-4 expression neither on mRNA nor protein level. No trend or significant differences in IRAK-4 expression in leukemic lymphocytes after LPS and SAC stimulation may imply the presence of alleged defect of immune tolerance in CLL.