Patrícia E. Almeida

Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Infection Induces TLR2-Dependent Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Expression and Activation: Functions in Inflammation, Lipid Metabolism, and Pathogenesis

Macrophages have important roles in both lipid metabolism and inflammation and are central to immunity to intracellular pathogens. Foam-like, lipid-laden macrophages are present during the course of mycobacterial infection and have recently been implicated in mycobacterial pathogenesis. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of macrophage lipid bodies (lipid droplets) during Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection, focusing on the role of the lipid-activated nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). We found that BCG infection induced increased expression of PPARγ that paralleled the augmented lipid body formation and PGE2 synthesis in mouse peritoneal macrophages. BCG-induced PPARγ expression and lipid body formation were diminished in macrophages from TLR2-deficient mice, suggesting a key role for TLR2. The function of PPARγ in modulating BCG infection was demonstrated by the capacity of the PPARγ agonist BRL49653 to potentiate lipid body formation and PGE2 production; furthermore, pretreatment with the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 inhibited BCG-induced lipid body formation and PGE2 production. BCG-induced MIP-1α, IL12p70, TNF-α, and IL6 production was not inhibited by GW9662 treatment. Nonpathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis failed to induce PPARγ expression or lipid body formation. Moreover, inhibition of PPARγ by GW9662 enhanced the mycobacterial killing capacity of macrophages. Our findings show that PPARγ is involved in lipid body biogenesis, unravels a cross-talk between the innate immune receptor TLR2 and the lipid-activated nuclear receptor PPARγ that coordinates lipid metabolism and inflammation in BCG-infected macrophages, thereby potentially affecting mycobacterial pathogenesis.

Leptin induces macrophage lipid body formation by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- and mammalian target of rapamycin-dependent mechanism.

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone/cytokine that links nutritional status with neuroendocrine and immune functions. Lipid bodies (lipid droplets) are emerging as dynamic organelles with roles in lipid metabolism and inflammation. Here we investigated the roles of leptin in signaling pathways involved in cytoplasmic lipid body biogenesis and leukotriene B4 synthesis in macrophages. Our results demonstrated that leptin directly activated macrophages and induced the formation of adipose differentiation-related protein-enriched lipid bodies. Newly formed lipid bodies were sites of 5-lipoxygenase localization and correlated with an enhanced capacity of leukotriene B4 production. We demonstrated that leptin-induced macrophage activation was dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity, since the lipid body formation was inhibited by LY294002 and was absent in the PI3K knock-out mice. Leptin induces phosphorylation of p70S6K and 4EBP1 key downstream signaling intermediates of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in a rapamycin-sensitive mechanism. The mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, inhibited leptin-induced lipid body formation, both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, rapamycin inhibited leptin-induced adipose differentiation-related protein accumulation in macrophages and lipid body-dependent leukotriene synthesis, demonstrating a key role for mTOR in lipid body biogenesis and function. Our results establish PI3K/mTOR as an important signaling pathway for leptin-induced cytoplasmic lipid body biogenesis and adipose differentiation-related protein accumulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate a previously unrecognized link between intracellular (mTOR) and systemic (leptin) nutrient sensors in macrophage lipid metabolism. Leptin-induced increased formation of cytoplasmic lipid bodies and enhanced inflammatory mediator production in macrophages may have implications for obesity-related cardiovascular diseases.

Macrophage lipid body induction by Chagas disease in vivo: putative intracellular domains for eicosanoid formation during infection

Lipid bodies (LB), lipid-rich inclusions abundantly present in cells engaged in inflammation, are specialized intracellular domains involved in generating inflammatory mediators, the eicosanoids. Since the acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection triggers a potent inflammatory reaction characterized by a great increase of peripheral blood monocyte (PBM) and macrophage numbers, we investigated the LB occurrence in these cells. The experimental rat infection by T. cruzi (Y strain) induced significant increase of the LB numbers in peritoneal macrophages at day 6 and 12, accompanied by significant enhancement of Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production, as measured by EIA. At day 12, ultrastructural analysis of the heart, a target organ of the disease, showed numerous macrophages with LB prominently increased in number (mean of 8.3 per section view, range of 1-25) compared to controls (mean of 2.6 per section view, range of 0-3) and size. PBM from all groups rarely showed LB. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that T. cruzi infection in rats elicits important LB formation in inflammatory macrophages but not in PBM. The increase in LB numbers during infection positively correlates with increased generation of PGE(2), suggesting that LB may have a role in the heightened eicosanoid production observed during T. cruzi infection.

PPARγ Expression and Function in Mycobacterial Infection: Roles in Lipid Metabolism, Immunity, and Bacterial Killing

Tuberculosis continues to be a global health threat, with drug resistance and HIV coinfection presenting challenges for its control. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, is a highly adapted pathogen that has evolved different strategies to subvert the immune and metabolic responses of host cells. Although the significance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation by mycobacteria is not fully understood, recent findings are beginning to uncover a critical role for PPARγ during mycobacterial infection. Here, we will review the molecular mechanisms that regulate PPARγ expression and function during mycobacterial infection. Current evidence indicates that mycobacterial infection causes a time-dependent increase in PPARγ expression through mechanisms that involve pattern recognition receptor activation. Mycobacterial triggered increased PPARγ expression and activation lead to increased lipid droplet formation and downmodulation of macrophage response, suggesting that PPARγ expression might aid the mycobacteria in circumventing the host response acting as an escape mechanism. Indeed, inhibition of PPARγ enhances mycobacterial killing capacity of macrophages, suggesting a role of PPARγ in favoring the establishment of chronic infection. Collectively, PPARγ is emerging as a regulator of tuberculosis pathogenesis and an attractive target for the development of adjunctive tuberculosis therapies.

Mycobacterium leprae intracellular survival relies on cholesterol accumulation in infected macrophages: a potential target for new drugs for leprosy treatment

We recently showed that Mycobacterium leprae (ML) is able to induce lipid droplet formation in infected macrophages. We herein confirm that cholesterol (Cho) is one of the host lipid molecules that accumulate in ML‐infected macrophages and investigate the effects of ML on cellular Cho metabolism responsible for its accumulation. The expression levels of LDL receptors (LDL‐R, CD36, SRA‐1, SR‐B1, and LRP‐1) and enzymes involved in Cho biosynthesis were investigated by qRT‐PCR and/or Western blot and shown to be higher in lepromatous leprosy (LL) tissues when compared to borderline tuberculoid (BT) lesions. Moreover, higher levels of the active form of the sterol regulatory element‐binding protein (SREBP) transcriptional factors, key regulators of the biosynthesis and uptake of cellular Cho, were found in LL skin biopsies. Functional in vitro assays confirmed the higher capacity of ML‐infected macrophages to synthesize Cho and sequester exogenous LDL‐Cho. Notably, Cho colocalized to ML‐containing phagosomes, and Cho metabolism impairment, through either de novo synthesis inhibition by statins or depletion of exogenous Cho, decreased intracellular bacterial survival. These findings highlight the importance of metabolic integration between the host and bacteria to leprosy pathophysiology, opening new avenues for novel therapeutic strategies to leprosy.

Bacterial clearance in septic mice is modulated by MCP-1/CCL2 and nitric oxide.

ABSTRACT Bacterial clearance is one of the most important beneficial consequences of the innate immune response. Chemokines are important mediators controlling leukocyte trafficking and activation, whereas reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are effectors in bacterial killing. In the present work, we used in vivo and in vitro models of infections to study the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1)/CCL2 and nitric oxide (NO) in the bacterial clearance in sepsis. Our results show that MCP-1/CCL2 and NO levels are increased in the peritoneal cavity of mice 6 h after sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Pretreatment with anti–MCP-1/CCL2 monoclonal antibodies increased the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) recovered in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Moreover, CFU counts were increased in the peritoneal fluid of CCR2−/− mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture. In vitro stimulation of peritoneal macrophages with recombinant MCP-1/CCL2 reduced CFU counts in the supernatant after challenge with Escherichia coli. Conversely, treatment with anti–MCP-1/CCL2 increased CFU counts under the same experimental condition. Stimulation of cultured macrophages with MCP-1/CCL2 and interferon had a synergistic effect on NO production. Macrophages from CCL2−/− mice showed a consistent decrease in NO production when compared with wild-type controls after stimulation with LPS + interferon. Finally, we showed incubation of macrophages with E. coli, and the ERK inhibitor U0126 increased CFU numbers and decreased intracellular levels of NO. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that MCP-1/CCL2 has a crucial role in the clearance of bacteria by mechanisms involving increased expression of inducible NO synthase and production of NO by ERK signaling pathways.

Schistosomal-Derived Lysophosphatidylcholine Are Involved in Eosinophil Activation and Recruitment through Toll-Like Receptor-2-Dependent Mechanisms

Parasite‐derived lipids may play important roles in host‐pathogen interactions and escape mechanisms. Herein, we evaluated the role of schistosomal‐derived lipids in Toll‐like receptor (TLR)-2 and eosinophil activation in Schistosoma mansoni infection. Mice lacking TLR2 exhibited reduced liver eosinophilic granuloma, compared with that of wild‐type animals, following S. mansoni infection. Decreased eosinophil accumulation and eosinophil lipid body (lipid droplet) formation, at least partially due to reduced production of eotaxin, interleukin (IL)‐5, and IL‐13 in S. mansoni-infected TLR2-/- mice, compared with the corresponding production in wild‐type mice, was noted. Although no differences were observed in survival rates during the acute schistosomal infection (up to 50 days), increased survival of TLR2-/- mice, compared with survival of wild‐type mice, was observed during the chronic phase of infection. Schistosomal lipid extract– and schistosomal‐derived lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso‐PC)-stimulated macrophages in vitro induced TLR2‐dependent NF‐kB activation and cytokine production. Furthermore, in vivo schistosomal lyso‐PC administration induced eosinophil recruitment and cytokine production, in a mechanism largely dependent on TLR2. Taken together, our results suggest that schistosomal‐derived lyso‐PC may participate in cytokine production and eosinophil activation through a TLR2‐dependent pathway in S. mansoni infection. Moreover, our results suggest that TLR2‐dependent inflammatory reaction, cytokine production, and eosinophil recruitment and activation may contribute to the pathogenesis and lethality in the chronic phase of infection.

Differential TLR2 downstream signaling regulates lipid metabolism and cytokine production triggered by Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection

The nuclear receptor PPARγ acts as a key modulator of lipid metabolism, inflammation and pathogenesis in BCG-infected macrophages. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in PPARγ expression and functions during infection are not completely understood. Here, we investigate signaling pathways triggered by TLR2, the involvement of co-receptors and lipid rafts in the mechanism of PPARγ expression, lipid body formation and cytokine synthesis in macrophages during BCG infection. BCG induces NF-κB activation and increased PPARγ expression in a TLR2-dependent manner. Furthermore, BCG-triggered increase of lipid body biogenesis was inhibited by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662, but not by the NF-κB inhibitor JSH-23. In contrast, KC/CXCL1 production was largely dependent on NF-κB but not on PPARγ. BCG infection induced increased expression of CD36 in macrophages in vitro. Moreover, CD36 co-immunoprecipitates with TLR2 in BCG-infected macrophages, suggesting its interaction with TLR2 in BCG signaling. Pretreatment with CD36 neutralizing antibodies significantly inhibited PPARγ expression, lipid body formation and PGE2 production induced by BCG. Involvement of CD36 in lipid body formation was further confirmed by decreased BCG-induced lipid body formation in CD36 deficient macrophages. Similarly, CD14 and CD11b/CD18 blockage also inhibited BCG-induced lipid body formation, whereas TNF-α synthesis was not affected. Disruption of rafts recapitulates the latter result, inhibiting lipid body formation, but not TNF-α synthesis in BCG-infected macrophages. In conclusion, our results suggest that CD36-TLR2 cooperation and signaling compartmentalization within rafts, divert host response signaling through PPARγ-dependent and NF-κB-independent pathways, leading to increased macrophage lipid accumulation and down-modulation of macrophage response.

Toll-Like Receptor-2-Mediated C-C Chemokine Receptor 3 and Eotaxin-Driven Eosinophil Influx Induced by Mycobacterium bovis BCG Pleurisy

ABSTRACT An acute and persistent eosinophil infiltration is observed during Mycobacterium bovis BCG pleural infection in mice. Eosinophil accumulation, lipid body formation, and eotaxin production were significantly reduced in BCG-infected Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2)-deficient mice compared to wild-type mice. Neutralization of eotaxin or CCR3 drastically inhibited BCG-induced eosinophil accumulation and lipid body formation, indicating that BCG-induced eosinophil recruitment and activation is largely dependent of TLR2-mediated eotaxin generation.

Lipid droplets in host–pathogen interactions

Abstract Increased cytoplasmic lipid droplets (also known as lipid bodies or adiposomes) in nonadipocytic cells are commonly observed pathological features of a number of infectious diseases. Although the understanding of the functional significance of lipid droplets to host–pathogen interactions and microbial pathogenesis is still very limited, great advances in this growing field have been made in the past few years. Here, we review the recent findings that are starting to uncover the molecular mechanisms that regulate lipid accumulation into lipid droplets and the functions that this organelle may play during infection, with an emphasis on the potential implications of lipid droplets on human infectious diseases.