Michael E. Bigler

Myeloid DAP12-associating lectin (MDL)-1 regulates synovial inflammation and bone erosion associated with autoimmune arthritis

DNAX adaptor protein 12 (DAP12) is a trans-membrane adaptor molecule that transduces activating signals in NK and myeloid cells. Absence of functional Dap12 results in osteoclast defects and bone abnormalities. Because DAP12 has no extracelluar binding domains, it must pair with cell surface receptors for signal transduction. There are at least 15 known DAP12-associating cell surface receptors with distinct temporal and cell type–specific expression patterns. Our aim was to determine which receptors may be important in DAP12-associated bone pathologies. Here, we identify myeloid DAP12-associating lectin (MDL)-1 receptor (also known as CLEC5A) as a key regulator of synovial injury and bone erosion during autoimmune joint inflammation. Activation of MDL-1 leads to enhanced recruitment of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils to the joint and promotes bone erosion. Functional blockade of MDL-1 receptor via Mdl1 deletion or treatment with MDL-1-Ig fusion protein reduces the clinical signs of autoimmune joint inflammation. These findings suggest that MDL-1 receptor may be a therapeutic target for treatment of immune-mediated skeletal disorders.

Modulation of Paired Immunoglobulin-Like Type 2 Receptor Signaling Alters the Host Response to Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Pneumonia

ABSTRACT Paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptors (PILRs) inhibitory PILRα and activating PILRβ are predominantly expressed on myeloid cells. Their functions in host defense and inflammation are largely unknown, and in this study, we evaluated their roles in an acute Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia model. Compared to their respective controls, Pilrb−/− mice or mice in which PILRα was activated with an agonistic antibody showed improved clearance of pulmonary staphylococci and improved survival. These mice had reduced serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL-6 and elevated levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-12, and IL-10. In contrast, mice in which PILRβ was activated had increased lung bacterial burdens and higher mortality coupled with an intense proinflammatory response with highly elevated levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Treatment groups with reduced bacterial burdens had higher levels of Keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), and MIP-1α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and an increased influx of neutrophils and macrophages to the lungs. Consistent with our in vivo findings, bone marrow-derived macrophages from Pilrb−/− mice released significantly less IL-1β and TNF-α and more IFN-γ and IL-12 than did the wild-type macrophages when directly stimulated with heat-killed S. aureus. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that S. aureus directly interacts with PILRβ. It provides a mechanism by which manipulating the balance in favor of an inhibitory PILR signal, by activation of PILRα or deletion of PILRβ, helps to control acute S. aureus-mediated pneumonia and attenuate the inflammatory response. These results highlight the importance of PILRs in innate immunity and the control of inflammation.