Project description:Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) can be activated by the endosomal TLRs, and contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by producing type I IFNs. Thus, blocking TLR-mediated pDC activation may represent a useful approach for the treatment of SLE. In an attempt to identify a therapeutic target for blocking TLR signaling in pDCs, we investigated the contribution of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) to the activation of pDCs by TLR7 and TLR9 stimulation by using a selective Btk inhibitor RN486. Stimulation of TLR7 and 9 with their respective agonist, namely, gardiquimod and type A CpG ODN2216, resulted in the activation of human pDCs, as demonstrated by the expression of activation markers (CD69, CD40, and CD86), elevated production of IFN-alpha and other inflammatory cytokines, as well as up-regulation of numerous genes including IFN-alpha-inducible genes and activation of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and NF-kB. RN486 inhibited all of these events induced by TLR9, but not TLR7 stimulation, with a nanomolar potency for inhibiting type A CpG ODN2216-mediated production of cytokines (e.g., IC50=386 nM for inhibiting IFN-alpha). Our data reveal Btk as an important regulatory enzyme in the TLR9 pathway, and a potential therapeutic target for SLE and other TLR-driven diseases. pDCs from healthy donors (n=4) were treated with gardiquimod (TLR7 agonist) or ODN 2216 (TLR9 agonist) with or without BTK inhibitor for 3 hours.
Project description:The purpose of this experiment was to assess the genes upregulated when pDCs were stimulated with TLR7 agonist imiquimod and TLR9 agonist CpG C. pDCs were isolated from six healthy donors by FACS sorting, and were stimulated with CpG and imiquimod for 18 hours, after which RNA was extracted for next generation sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq platform. Unstimulated samples were included as controls.
Project description:The purpose of this experiment was to assess the genes upregulated when pDCs were stimulated with TLR7 agonist imiquimod and TLR9 agonist CpG C.
Project description:Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) can be activated by the endosomal TLRs, and contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by producing type I IFNs. Thus, blocking TLR-mediated pDC activation may represent a useful approach for the treatment of SLE. In an attempt to identify a therapeutic target for blocking TLR signaling in pDCs, we investigated the contribution of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) to the activation of pDCs by TLR7 and TLR9 stimulation by using a selective Btk inhibitor RN486. Stimulation of TLR7 and 9 with their respective agonist, namely, gardiquimod and type A CpG ODN2216, resulted in the activation of human pDCs, as demonstrated by the expression of activation markers (CD69, CD40, and CD86), elevated production of IFN-alpha and other inflammatory cytokines, as well as up-regulation of numerous genes including IFN-alpha-inducible genes and activation of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and NF-kB. RN486 inhibited all of these events induced by TLR9, but not TLR7 stimulation, with a nanomolar potency for inhibiting type A CpG ODN2216-mediated production of cytokines (e.g., IC50=386 nM for inhibiting IFN-alpha). Our data reveal Btk as an important regulatory enzyme in the TLR9 pathway, and a potential therapeutic target for SLE and other TLR-driven diseases.
Project description:Robust type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) is critical for anti-viral immunity. Here we demonstrated a role for the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in regulating interferon production by pDCs. Inhibition of mTOR or the ‘downstream’ mediators of mTOR p70S6K1,2 kinases during pDC activation via Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) blocked the interaction of TLR9 with the adaptor MyD88 and the subsequent activation of interferon response factor 7 (IRF7), resulting in impaired IFN-alpha production. Microarray analysis confirmed that inhibition of mTOR by the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin suppressed anti-viral and anti-inflammatory gene expression. Consistent with this, targeting rapamycin-encapsulated microparticles to antigen-presenting cells in vivo resulted in a diminution of IFN-alpha production in response to CpG DNA or the yellow fever vaccine virus strain 17D. Thus, mTOR signaling plays a critical role in TLR-mediated IFN-alpha responses by pDCs. CpGA is a TLR9 agonist. pDCs were isolated from mouse spleen or human PBMC. The effect of rapamycin on pDCs IFN-alpha production as induced by TLR ligands was studied. The mechanism of rapamycin effect was dissected in RAW cell line.
Project description:Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a rare type of dendritic cells that exist antiviral functions in response to toll-like receptors (TLRs). We here report TLR4 activated pDCs similar to TLR7/8 stimulation. Despite the high resemblance, we found the unique genes that were activated by TLR4 activation.
Project description:To investigate the effect of IVIG and desialylated IVIG on the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Human primary plasmacytoid dendritic cells were treated with TLR stimulation together with or without IVIG or desialylated IVIG, and the change of genes were analyzed. Primary human pDCs were preincubated with or without 10mg/ml IVIG or desialylated IVIG followed by stimulation with CpG overnight. The different genes between IVIG+CpG and desialylated IVIG+CpG were analyzed.
Project description:Synthetic oligonucleotides (ODNs) containing CpG motifs stimulate human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to produce type-1 interferons (IFN) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Previous studies demonstrated that interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) played a central role in mediating CpG-induced pDC activation. This work explores the inverse effects of IRF-5 and IRF-8 on CpG dependent gene expression. Results from RNA interference and microarray studies indicate that IRF-5 up-regulates TLR9-driven gene expression whereas IRF-8 down-regulates the same genes. Several findings support the conclusion that IRF-8 inhibits TLR9 dependent gene expression by directly blocking the activity of IRF-5. First, the inhibitory activity of IRF-8 is only observed when IRF-5 is present. Second, proximity ligation analysis shows that IRF-8 and IRF-5 co-localize within the cytoplasm of resting human pDC and co-translocate to the nucleus after CpG stimulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that two transcription factors with opposing functions control TLR9 signaling in human pDCs.
Project description:Robust type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) is critical for anti-viral immunity. Here we demonstrated a role for the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in regulating interferon production by pDCs. Inhibition of mTOR or the ‘downstream’ mediators of mTOR p70S6K1,2 kinases during pDC activation via Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) blocked the interaction of TLR9 with the adaptor MyD88 and the subsequent activation of interferon response factor 7 (IRF7), resulting in impaired IFN-alpha production. Microarray analysis confirmed that inhibition of mTOR by the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin suppressed anti-viral and anti-inflammatory gene expression. Consistent with this, targeting rapamycin-encapsulated microparticles to antigen-presenting cells in vivo resulted in a diminution of IFN-alpha production in response to CpG DNA or the yellow fever vaccine virus strain 17D. Thus, mTOR signaling plays a critical role in TLR-mediated IFN-alpha responses by pDCs. CpGA is a TLR9 agonist.
Project description:Psoriasis-like skin inflammation was indused by 5 daily topical applications of imiquimod (IMQ), a TLR7/8 agonist, or vehicle, in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) or control chow diet (CD). Skin samples were collected at day 6.