Signal transduction in DC differentiation: winged messengers and Achilles' heel

Zymosan and PMA activate the immune responses of Mutz3-derived dendritic cells synergistically

Beta-glucan (β-glucan) including zymosan has been known as a super food because of its multifunctional activities, such as the enhancement of immune responses. To study the functional mechanism of β-glucan in immune stimulation, the effect of zymosan on dendritic cell (DC) was investigated by monitoring the production of TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. DC was differentiated from Mutz-3, a human acute myeloid leukemia cell line, by cytokine treatment and characterized. DC-specific cell surface markers were increased during the differentiation. Especially, Dectin-1, a β-glucan receptor, was upregulated during DC differentiation, and mediated zymosan-induced TNF-α production, which was inhibited by silencing of dectin-1. Zymosan exhibited synergistic effect with other immune stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a well-known PKC activator. Simultaneous treatment of zymosan and PMA enhanced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits, p50 and p65, mediating the increase of TNF-α production. Bay 11-7082, an NF-κB inhibitor, blocked morphological changes and TNF-α production induced by zymosan and/or PMA treatment. Western blot analysis has showed zymosan-Dectin-1 pathway mediated destructive phosphorylation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) kinase α subunit (IKKα) in IKK complexes, while PMA-PKC pathway regulated selective phosphorylation and degradation of IKKβ. Simultaneous phosphorylation of separate IKK subunits by co-treatment of zymosan and PMA resulted in cooperative activation of NF-κB and TNF-α production.

Tim-1 stimulation of dendritic cells regulates the balance between effector and regulatory T cells

We show that the T-cell immunoglobalin mucin, Tim-1, initially reported to be expressed on CD4(+) T cells, is constitutively expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) and that its expression further increases after DC maturation. Tim-1 signaling into DCs upregulates costimulatory molecule expression and proinflammatory cytokine production, thereby promoting effector T-cell responses, while inhibiting Foxp3(+) Treg responses. By contrast, Tim-1 signaling in T cells only regulates Th2 responses. Using a high-avidity/agonistic anti-Tim-1 antibody as a co-adjuvant enhances the immunogenic function of DCs, decreases the suppressive function of Tregs, and substantially increases proinflammatory Th17 responses in vivo. The treatment with high- but not low-avidity anti-Tim-1 not only worsens experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in susceptible mice but also breaks tolerance and induces EAE in a genetically resistant strain of mice. These findings indicate that Tim-1 has an important role in regulating DC function and thus shifts the balance between effector and regulatory T cells towards an enhanced immune response. By understanding the mechanisms by which Tim-1 regulates DC and T-cell responses, we may clarify the potential utility of Tim-1 as a target of therapy against autoimmunity, cancer, and infectious diseases.

The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the functions of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Background

Propolis, an ancient herbal medicine, has been reported the beneficial effect both in asthma patients and murine model of asthma, but the mechanism was not clearly understood. In this study, the effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), the most extensively studied components in propolis, on the functions of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) was investigated.

Results

CAPE significantly inhibited IL-12 p40, IL-12 p70, IL-10 protein expression in mature healthy human MoDCs stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and IL-12 p40, IL-10, IP-10 stimulated by crude mite extract. CAPE significantly inhibited IL-10 and IP-10 but not IL-12 expression in allergic patients' MoDCs stimulated by crude mite extract. In contrast, the upregulation of costimulatory molecules in mature MoDCs was not suppressed by CAPE. Further, the antigen presenting ability of DCs was not inhibited by CAPE. CAPE inhibited IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB activation but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family phosphorylation in human MoDCs.

Conclusion

These results indicated that CAPE inhibited cytokine and chemokine production by MoDCs which might be related to the NF-κB signaling pathway. This study provided a new insight into the mechanism of CAPE in immune response and the rationale for propolis in the treatment of asthma and other allergic disorders.

Annexin-1-deficient dendritic cells acquire a mature phenotype during differentiation

Dendritic cells play a key role in the adaptive immune system by influencing T-cell differentiation. Annexin-1 (Anx-A1) has recently been shown to modulate the adaptive immune response by regulating T-cell activation and differentiation. Here we investigated the role of endogenous Anx-A1 in dendritic cells as major cellular counterpart of T-cell-driven immune response. We found that Anx-A1(-/-) bone marrow-derived dendritic cells show an increased number of CD11c(+) cells expressing high levels of some maturation markers, such as CD40, CD54, and CD80, coupled to a decreased capacity to take up antigen compared to control Anx-A1(+/+) cells. However, analysis of LPS-treated dendritic cells from Anx-A1(-/-) mice demonstrated a diminished up-regulation of maturation markers, a decreased migratory activity in vivo, and an attenuated production of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-12. This defect was also accompanied by impaired nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB/DNA-binding activity and lack of Anx-A1 signaling, as demonstrated by the reduced activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and Akt compared to cells from control littermates. As a consequence of this phenotype, Anx-A1(-/-) dendritic cells showed an impaired capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and differentiation in mixed leukocyte reaction. Together, these findings suggest that inhibition of Anx-A1 expression or function in dendritic cells might represent a useful way to modulate the adaptive immune response and pathogen-induced T-cell-driven immune diseases.

Migration of dendritic cell subsets and their precursors

The ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to initiate and orchestrate immune responses is a consequence of their localization within tissues and their specialized capacity for mobilization. The migration of a given DC subset is typified by a restricted capacity for recirculation, contrasting markedly with T cells. Routes of DC migration into lymph nodes differ notably for distinct DC subsets. Here, we compare the distinct migratory patterns of plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), CD8alpha(+) DCs, Langerhans cells, and conventional myeloid DCs and discuss how the highly regulated patterns of DC migration in vivo may affect their roles in immunity. Finally, to gain a more molecular appreciation of the specialized migratory properties of DCs, we review the signaling cascades that govern the process of DC migration.

Nuclear factor kappa B and hepatitis viruses

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis can be caused by a number of viruses, which have similar clinical manifestations and render infected individuals at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Current therapies for hepatitis have limited effects and unsatisfactory patient outcomes. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) is critical for immune and inflammatory responses. During its lifetime the cell demands specific and highly regulated control of NF-kappaB activity.

OBJECTIVE

To develop novel strategies to overcome various hepatitides and related liver cancer with NF-kappaB as the key point.

METHODS

All aspects of NF-kappaB control with regard to hepatitis are covered.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

NF-kappaB plays an important role in the process of hepatitis and is hypothesized to be an anti-cancer factor in the subsequent inflammation-associated hepatocarcinogenesis.