Blood online
Home About Blood Authors Subscriptions Permission Advertising Public Access contact us
 

 
Advanced
Current Issue
First Edition
Future Articles
Archives
Submit to Blood
Search
American Society of Hematology
Meeting Abstracts
Email Alerts
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Right arrow Rights and Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Braun, M. C.
Right arrow Articles by Kelsall, B. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Braun, M. C.
Right arrow Articles by Kelsall, B. L.
Related Collections
Right arrow Immunobiology
Right arrow Phagocytes
Right arrow Signal Transduction
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?

arrow to previous article Previous Article  |  Table of Contents  |  Next Article next article arrow

Blood, 1 June 2001, Vol. 97, No. 11, pp. 3531-3536

IMMUNOBIOLOGY

Activation of the formyl peptide receptor by the HIV-derived peptide T-20 suppresses interleukin-12 p70 production by human monocytes

Michael C. Braun, Ji Ming Wang, Edward Lahey, Ronald L. Rabin, and Brian L. Kelsall

From the Immune Cell Interaction Unit, Mucosal Immunity Section, and the Cytokine Biology Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda; and the Laboratory of Molecular Immunoregulation, Division of Basic Sciences, National Cancer Institute-Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, MD.


    Abstract
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References

It has been proposed that in the early stages of human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection, before the loss of CD4+ T cells, inhibition of IL-12 production from host antigen-presenting cells plays a critical role in the suppression of T-helper cell type 1 responses. Activation of the Gi-protein-coupled high-affinity N-formyl peptide receptor by f-met-leu-phe and HIV-derived peptide T-20-suppressed IL-12 p70 production from human monocytes in response to both T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent stimulation are reported. Activation of the low-affinity N-formyl peptide receptor by the HIV-derived F-peptide suppressed IL-12 production more modestly. This suppression was pertussis toxin sensitive and was selective for IL-12; the production of IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was unaltered. The production of IL-12 p70 by dendritic cells was unaffected by these peptides despite functional expression of the high-affinity fMLP receptor. These findings provide a potential direct mechanism for HIV-mediated suppression of IL-12 production and suggest a broader role for G-protein-coupled receptors in the regulation of innate immune responses. (Blood. 2001;97:3531-3536)

© 2001 by The American Society of Hematology.

    Introduction
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References

Suppression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) production during infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may contribute significantly to host immunosuppression. This may be particularly relevant early in the course of infection, when patients still have substantial numbers of uninfected CD4+ T cells yet do not mount normal T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) responses.1-7 In support of this possibility, the in vitro production of IL-12 by both peripheral blood mononuclear cells and purified monocytes from HIV-infected patients is significantly and selectively reduced in response to stimulation.8-14 It has also been reported that the capacity to produce IL-12 p40 is increased after intensive antiretroviral therapy, though this finding has not been supported by all investigators.15-17 Furthermore, the addition of exogenous IL-12 to cultured cells from HIV-infected patients restores cell-mediated immune responses and augments cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against HIV-specific antigens.18-21 Finally the decreased capacity to produce IL-12 has also been proposed to enhance apoptosis of CD4+ Th1 cells in HIV-infected persons.22-25

Two synthetic peptides from HIV-1---T-20, which corresponds to the carboxy-terminal ectodomain sequence of gp41 of the HIV-1 LAI strain, and F-peptide, which corresponds to the V4-C4 region of gp120 of the HIV-1 Bru strain---bind to the high-affinity (FPR) and the low-affinity (FPRL-1) formyl-peptide receptors, respectively.26,27 These peptides appear to be largely conserved in strains of HIV, and activation of these receptors by T-20 and F-peptide induce both calcium flux and chemotaxis in human monocytes and neutrophils.26,27 In addition, both peptides can affect HIV infectivity. F-peptide down-regulates the expression and the function of the HIV coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4 on human monocytes, and T-20 peptide inhibits the formation of the gp41 hairpin structure that mediates fusion of the viral and cell membranes, preventing viral infection.27-31 On the basis of these observations, the administration of T-20 peptide to humans infected with HIV has entered clinical trials, where it has been shown to decrease viral burden.32

Both FPR and FPRL-1 are members of the 7-transmembrane domain family of receptors, and they signal through a Gi-coupled heterotrimeric G-protein complex. These receptors were initially characterized as receptors for the prototypic bacterial chemoattractant f-met-leu-phe (fMLP) and are expressed by human monocytes and by a variety of other human cells.33 Although no other naturally occurring ligands have been identified for FPR, 2 endogenous ligands for FPRL-1, the lipid metabolite lipoxin A4, and serum amyloid A, have been described.34,35 Studies in our laboratory and others36-39 have demonstrated that selective chemokines and chemoattractants, such as the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and the anaphylatoxin C5a (which also signal via Gi-coupled-receptors) suppress IL-12 production by human and murine antigen-presenting cells. This suggested that signaling through Gi-coupled FPR and FPRL-1 by T-20 and F-peptide may also suppress IL-12 p70 production. We now report that the activation of formyl-peptide receptors by HIV-derived peptides suppresses IL-12 p70 production from human monocytes in response to T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent stimuli. This inhibition is pertussis toxin sensitive and independent of known autocrine inhibitors of IL-12 synthesis, and it likely occurs at the level of transcription. Interestingly, the suppressive effect was not seen with monocyte-derived dendritic cells, despite functional expression of the high-affinity FPR receptor. These findings provide a novel mechanism by which HIV antigens may directly inhibit IL-12 production by human monocytes and a novel function for formyl-peptide receptors.


    Materials and methods
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References

Isolation and stimulation of human monocytes

Human monocytes obtained from healthy donors (n = 16) by standard leukapheresis were purified by counterflow centrifugation (elutriation), which yielded cells of uniform forward/side scatter and were 95% to 99% CD14+ by flow cytometry. Monocytes were cultured at a density of 2 × 106 cells/mL at 37°C and 6% CO2 in 1 mL cRPMI: RPMI 1640 (Biofluids, Rockville, MD) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (Biofluids), 15 mM HEPES (Biofluids), 200 mM glutamine, 5% NCTC-109, 100 µg/mL penicillin and streptomycin, and 50 µg/mL gentamicin. Monocytes were preincubated for 1 hour with either media alone or with varying concentrations of either fMLP (Sigma Chemical, St Louis, MO), T-20 peptide (derived from gp41 HIV-1 LAI, AA 643-678): YSTLIHSLIEESQNQQEKNEQELLEL-DKWASLWNWF-NH2,26 or F-peptide (derived from gp120 HIV-1 Bru, AA 414-434): EGSDTITLPCRIKQFINMWQE-NH2.27 Monocytes were stimulated with 100 ng/mL interferon (IFN)-gamma (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) and either 0.01% (wt/vol) Staphylococcus aureus, Cowan strain I (SAC; Calbiochem, San Diego, CA), 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS; E coli serotype O127:B8, Sigma), or 3 µg/mL recombinant trimerized human CD40L (kindly provided by Immunex, Seattle, WA). To evaluate pertussis toxin sensitivity, monocytes were cultured for 4 hours in the presence or absence of 250 ng/mL purified pertussis toxin (List Biological Laboratories, Campbell, CA) and then were stimulated with SAC (0.01%) and IFN-gamma (100 ng/mL). Twenty-four hours after stimulation, cytokine production was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody pairs (clone 2495.11 and polyclonal goat IgG) for human IL-12 p70 were obtained from R&D Systems, and antibody pairs for IL-10 (clones AHC8102 and AHC7109) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (clones AHC3712 and AHC3419) were obtained from Biosource International (Camarillo, CA) and used according to the manufacturer's suggestions. Assays for transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 were performed using ELISA kits from R&D Systems and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Statistical analysis was performed using paired Student t tests comparing the maximal cytokine induction in response to stimulation with SAC and IFN-gamma alone to stimulated cytokine production in the presence of varying concentrations of fMLP, T-20, or F-peptide.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction for IL-12 p35 and p40 mRNA expression

Elutriated human monocytes (107) were pretreated with fMLP, T-20 peptide, or F-peptide (all at 10-4 M) for 30 minutes and then were stimulated with SAC (0.01%) and IFN-gamma (100 ng/mL) for 6 hours. Total RNA was extracted using STAT-60 (Tel-Test, Friendswood, TX), and cDNA was generated using 5.0 µg RNA as a template and Superscript II (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, MD) with random hexamer priming. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed by TaqMan (PE Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) using sequence-specific probes and primers for IL-12 p35, IL-12 p40, and GAPDH obtained from the manufacturer. PCR was performed using 10-fold serial dilutions of templates to ensure linear-phase amplification, and gene expression was normalized for GAPDH expression.

Isolation and stimulation of dendritic cells

Immature dendritic cells were derived from elutriated monocytes as described by Bender et al.40 Briefly, monocytes were cultured for 7 to 9 days in cRPMI supplemented every other day with 100 ng/mL IL-4 (Prepro Tech, Rocky Hill, NJ) and 100 ng/mL granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; R&D Systems). Nonadherent cells were harvested by gentle washing, and most (70%-90%) were confirmed by flow cytometry to be CD1a (clone HI149; PharMingen, San Diego, CA) high and CD83 (clone HB15e; PharMingen) low. More than 95% of these cells excluded trypan blue and demonstrated characteristic dendrite formation by phase-contrast microscopy. Immature dendritic cells were resuspended in cRPMI at a density of 106 cells/mL, pretreated with either fMLP (10-5 M), T-20 peptide (10-5 M), or F-peptide (10-5 M) for 1 hour, and stimulated with 100 ng/mL IFN-gamma and either 0.01% SAC or 3 µg/mL CD40L. Twenty-four hours after stimulation, IL-12 p70 production was assayed by ELISA as described above.

RT-PCR of stimulated human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells were generated as described previously. CD1a+ cells were isolated by flow cytometry sorting performed on a FACStar cell sorter (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, CA). The final cell population was more than 97% CD1a+. Total RNA was obtained using STAT-60, and cDNA was generated using 2.5 µg RNA as a template and Superscript II. PCR amplification was performed using 5-fold dilutions of cDNA template to ensure linear-phase amplification of PCR products and normalized for GADPH expression. PCR amplification of FPR and FPRL cDNA was performed under the following conditions: initial denaturation at 94°C for 2 minutes and then 40 cycles at 94°C for 45 seconds, 57.5°C for 60 seconds, and 70°C for 90 seconds, and a final elongation step at 70°C for 5 minutes. These primer pairs were used: GADPH, sense-TGAAGGTCGAGTCAACGGATTTGGT, antisense CATGTGGGCCATGAGGTCCACCAC; FPR, sense CAAGATGGAGACAAATTCCTCTC, antisense GAGCAGAGCCATCACCCAGGGCCCAA; and FPRL-1, sense CTGTACT-TTCAACTTTGCATCC, antisense ATTTCCCAACTCCACTTACC. PCR products were resolved by gel electrophoresis on a 1.5% agarose gel, and stained with ethidium bromide.

Calcium flux studies

Intracellular calcium flux studies using flow cytometry analysis was performed as described by Rabin et al.41 Briefly, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (2 × 107) were suspended in HBSS-HEPES (HBSS supplemented with 10 mM HEPES, Ca++, Mg++, and 1% fetal calf serum). Indo-1 and pleuronic detergent (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR) were added at final concentrations of 5 µM and 300 µg/mL, respectively. The cell suspension was incubated at 30°C for 45 minutes with gentle agitation. Cells were then washed twice with the HBSS-HEPES, stained with anti-CD1a, and washed again. Calcium flux for CD1a+ dendritic cells was performed using a FACSVantage flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson) equipped with an argon laser tuned to 488 nM and a krypton laser tuned to 360 nM. Indo-1 fluorescence was analyzed at 390/20 nM and 530/20 nM for bound and free calcium, respectively. Before stimulation, cell suspensions were warmed at 37°C for 3 minutes. The CD1a+ cell population was gated, and baseline fluorescent ratios were collected for 30 seconds. Cells were then stimulated with either fMLP (10-5 M), T-20 peptide (10-5 M), or F-peptide (10-5 M) followed by fMLP (10-8 M). Collections continued until calcium flux returned to basal levels. Changes in Indo-1 fluorescence were expressed as the ratio of bound to free intracellular calcium, and scattergrams represented the entire CD1a+ cell population at the time of stimulation. Data analysis was performed using Flowjo software (Tree Star, San Carlos, CA).


    Results
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References

To explore the ability of FPR ligands to suppress IL-12 p70 production, we preexposed elutriated human peripheral blood monocytes to varying concentrations of T-20, F-peptide, or fMLP in vitro and subsequently stimulated the monocytes with 2 potent inducers of IL-12 p70 production---SAC and IFN-gamma . Both T-20 and fMLP dramatically suppressed IL-12 p70 production in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 1A), with maximal inhibition (more than 90%) occurring at concentrations below 10-5 M. F-peptide also suppressed IL-12 p70 production; however, the level of inhibition was modest (30%) despite high peptide concentrations (10-5 M), suggesting that signaling through FPRL-1 has a minimal effect on IL-12 production. The dose-response curve for fMLP was also consistent with a primary role for FPR signaling given that significant suppression of IL-12 occurred at the concentration range associated with high-affinity binding of fMLP to FPR on human monocytes (10-9 and 10-7 M).26,27 fMLP and T-20 each showed a similar potent inhibitory effect (Figure 1B) when monocytes were stimulated with 2 other known inducers of IL-12---LPS and IFN-gamma ---or with soluble trimerized CD40L and IFN-gamma . These findings demonstrated that T-20 and fMLP can suppress monocyte production of IL-12 p70 in response to T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent signals.


View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. fMLP and T-20 peptide selectively suppress IL-12 p70 production by elutriated human monocytes. (A) Monocytes were preincubated with varying concentrations of fMLP (), T-20 peptide (open circle ), or F-peptide (black-triangle) and then were stimulated with SAC and IFN-gamma . (B) fMLP and T-20 suppress both T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent production of IL-12. Elutriated monocytes were pretreated with either fMLP (10-5 M) or T-20 peptide (10-5 M) and were stimulated with IFN-gamma and either LPS (black-square) or CD40L (). (C) fMLP and T-20 selectively suppress IL-12 production. IL-10 (), TGF-beta (black-square), and TNF-alpha () production by human monocytes stimulated with IFN-gamma and SAC after preincubation with either media alone, fMLP (10-5 M), or T-20 peptide (10-5 M). Cytokine concentrations were measured 24 hours after stimulation by ELISA. Data are mean ± 1 SD from monocytes obtained from 3 separate donors. (*P < .01; **P < .005).

Suppression of IL-12 p70 production by T-20 and fMLP was selective (Figure 1C) in that the production of TNF-alpha , IL-10, and TGF-beta by stimulated monocytes was unaltered by preexposure to the peptides. The addition of neutralizing antibodies to IL-10, TGF-beta , or indomethacin to inhibit the production of PGE2 had minimal effect on reversing the suppression of IL-12 (data not shown), suggesting that T-20 and fMLP work independently of known autocrine inhibitors of IL-12 synthesis. We then determined whether T-20 and fMLP acted to suppress IL-12 mRNA accumulation and found that the pretreatment of monocytes with either T-20 or fMLP resulted in a marked reduction in the levels of mRNA for both IL-12 p40 and p35 (Figure 2A-B). IL-12 p35 and p40 mRNA levels were suppressed by nearly 90% and 95%, respectively, by preexposure to T-20 or fMLP in comparison to levels induced by SAC and IFN-gamma stimulation in the absence of pretreatment. Pretreatment with F-peptide resulted in a more modest reduction in IL-12 mRNA levels. These data imply that, as with other inhibitors of IL-12 production shown to regulate IL-12 at the level of transcription, the primary effect of FPR signaling is to inhibit gene transcription.42,43 Alternatively, it is also possible that FPR signaling effects mRNA degradation; this possibility is currently being explored.


View larger version (14K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. FPR activation suppresses mRNA. Activation of FPR by fMLP or T-20 suppresses the level of mRNA for both IL-12 p35 (A) and IL-12 p40 (B). Human monocytes were stimulated for 6 hours with SAC and IFN-gamma in the presence or absence of FPR and FPR-1 ligands (10-5 M). Taqman was used to isolate and quantitate RNA. Suppression of IL-12 mRNA was expressed as percentage maximal induction relative to peak expression with SAC and IFN-gamma stimulation because there was no detectable constitutive expression of IL-12 p40 mRNA. Data are mean ± 1 SD from replicate samples from 3 separate donors. All samples were normalized for GADPH expression performed concurrently with IL-12 mRNA amplification. ND, not detected.

To confirm the role and specificity of GI signaling in the suppression of IL-12 production by FPR ligands, before the addition of either fMLP or T-20, monocytes were pretreated with pertussis toxin, which inhibits Gi signaling by adenosine phosphate ribosylation of a cysteine residue of the carboxy-terminus of the Gialpha subunit, and then were stimulated with SAC and IFN-gamma . The addition of pertussis toxin completely reversed the suppression of IL-12 production by both peptides (Figure 3). Significantly, pertussis toxin did not have the capacity to induce IL-12 production in the absence of additional stimuli. However, pertussis toxin pretreatment augmented the production of IL-12 in response to SAC and IFN-gamma in the absence of fMLP and T-20 and reversed the ability of fMLP and T-20 to inhibit IL-12 production. These findings provide support to prior studies suggesting a critical role of Gialpha -mediated signaling pathways in the regulation of IL-12 production.44-48


View larger version (22K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. Suppression of IL-12 p70 production by fMLP and T-20 peptide is reversed by pertussis toxin. Monocytes were cultured for 4 hours with 250 ng/mL pertussis toxin () and then stimulated with SAC and IFN-gamma in the presence or absence of fMLP (10-5 M) or T-20 peptide (10-5 M). , control. IL-12 p70 concentrations were measured 24 hours after stimulation by ELISA. Data are mean ± 1 SD from the monocytes of 3 separate donors (*P < .05; **P < .01). ND, not detected.

In a final series of experiments, we determined whether the effects seen on human monocytes could be applied to IL-12 p70 production by dendritic cells. Immature dendritic cells were derived from human monocytes cultured for 7 to 9 days in GM-CSF and IL-4.40 These dendritic cells produced high levels of IL-12 p70 (Figure 4) when stimulated with SAC and IFN-gamma or CD40L and IFN-gamma . However, the production of IL-12 p70 was not suppressed by preexposure to either fMLP or T-20 peptide, even at high concentrations (10-5 M). Interestingly, the preexposure of dendritic cells to pertussis toxin failed to augment the production of IL-12, as was seen in the elutriated monocytes (data not shown), suggesting that Gialpha signaling pathways may not play a critical role in the modulation of IL-12 production in dendritic cells.


View larger version (27K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Neither fMLP, T-20 peptide, nor F-peptide suppresses IL-12 p70 production by monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Immature dendritic cells (CD1ahigh/CD83low) were generated from human monocytes cultured for 7 to 9 days in GM-CSF and IL-4 and then were stimulated with IFN-gamma and either SAC () or CD40L () in the presence or absence of fMLP (10-5 M), T-20 (10-5 M), or F-peptide (10-5 M). IL-12 p70 concentrations were measured 24 hours after stimulation by ELISA. Data are mean ± 1 SD from dendritic cells derived from 3 separate donors (all P > .05).

We explored the possibility that this lack of suppression resulted from low or absent expression of FPR and FPRL-1 by dendritic cells. Using semiquantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR of RNA isolated from flow cytometry-sorted monocyte-derived dendritic cells, FPR mRNA was modestly reduced in immature dendritic cells when compared to monocytes (Figure 5), whereas these cells expressed little, if any, FPRL-1 mRNA. Finally, we performed flow cytometry-based calcium flux assays on dendritic cells (gated on CD1a+ cells) to determine whether the reduced levels of mRNA for FPR and FPRL-1 correlated with the functional expression of these receptors. Exposure to fMLP at concentrations of 10-5 M or 10-8 M readily induced a calcium flux in the CD1a+ cell population, as did exposure to the T-20 peptide (Figure 6A-B). In contrast, treatment with F-peptide, even at high concentrations (10-5 M), failed to induce a measurable calcium flux (Figure 6C). These data suggest that though CD1a+ dendritic cells exhibit functional expression of the high-affinity fMLP receptor, FPR, they lack expression of functional FPRL-1.


View larger version (43K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5. Expression of the fMLP receptors is reduced in immature dendritic cells. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells were FACS sorted to obtain greater than 97% CD1a+ cells. mRNA was isolated, and semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine the level of FPR and FPRL-1 mRNA expression by immature dendritic cells relative to primary monocytes. Data represent results of 3 similar, independent experiments.



View larger version (32K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6. Immature dendritic cells have functional expression of FPR but not of FPRL-1. Dendritic cells were loaded with the calcium fluorochrome Indo-1, and intracellular calcium flux by CD1a+ cells was assayed by FACS analysis. Dendritic cells were stimulated with 10-5 M fMLP, 10-5 M T-20 peptide, or 10-5 M F-peptide followed by 10-8 M fMLP. Calcium flux is expressed as the ratio of bound to free intracellular calcium, and scattergrams represent changes in ratios of bound to free calcium for the gated CD1a+ population. FACS data are representative of 2 independent experiments yielding similar results.

The reason for the lack of suppression of IL-12 production by immature dendritic cells after exposure to ligands for FPR is unclear. It is possible that the density of FPR expressed by dendritic cells is insufficient to generate the secondary signaling events necessary to suppress IL-12 yet is sufficient to induce a calcium flux. Alternatively, signaling pathways that are independent of those mediating calcium flux may be required for the suppression of IL-12 production, and such pathways are not active in dendritic cells. Given that supraphysiologic concentrations of fMLP failed to suppress IL-12 (up to 10-3 M, data not shown) and that pertussis toxin failed to augment IL-12 production, as occurred with purified monocytes, the latter mechanism is more likely than the former.


    Discussion
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References

The finding of selective regulation of IL-12 production in monocytes compared to dendritic cells has been previously reported in respect to infection with HIV and Leishmania as well as with other suppressors of IL-12.39,49-51 Our findings regarding the ability of fMLP to suppress IL-12 p70 production in monocytes, but not dendritic cells, suggests 2 possible roles for this signaling pathway in modulating the local immune microenvironment. The first role is the regulation of IFN-gamma production by natural killer (NK) cells, which is dependent on IL-12 production by monocytes/macrophages. Because dendritic cells act to prime T-cell responses in draining lymphatic tissue, the effect of this pathway on T-cell responses may be indirect, possibly through the inhibition of IFN-gamma production by NK cells, which subsequently acts to limit the production of IL-12 p70 by dendritic cells. The second role is the ability to regulate secondary T-cell responses because IL-12 production by macrophages is important for cell survival and for the augmentation of IFN-gamma production by differentiated Th1 cells.

Our studies provide several novel and potentially important findings. First, they demonstrate that signals through N-formyl-peptide receptors can result in the suppression of early innate immunity by inhibiting the production of IL-12 from monocytes/macrophages, suggesting a novel function for a family of receptors thought only to have "pro-inflammatory" properties (eg, the attraction of neutrophils and monocytes and the induction of cytokines such as TNF-alpha ). Second, the current findings provide a potential direct mechanism by which HIV infection may inhibit immune responses in vivo. In support of this possibility, antibodies to T-20 peptide have been detected in the serum of patients with HIV, indicating that these peptide domains may be exposed to the immune system during HIV infection in vivo.52 How and where this exposure occurs is unclear; gp41 has been identified in the brain tissue of patients with HIV encephalopathy, in macrophages of patients with HIV-associated myopathy, and in circulating immune complexes of patients with HIV.53,54 In addition, the normally cryptic component of gp41 containing T-20 is exposed during the fusion process and thus may directly interact with formyl-peptide receptors on target cells. Third, these findings also suggest that studies involving the treatment of HIV-infected patients with T-20 peptide should address the possibility that such treatment may result in the suppression of IL-12 production, which could have immunologic consequences. This may be particularly important because the concentrations of T-20 required to suppress IL-12 production in vitro are at or below the levels of T-20 required in humans to suppress viral burdens in vivo.32 Together with the current findings, these studies suggest that FPR signaling through Gi-linked signaling pathways may have broader effects on immune responses than previously thought.


    Footnotes

Submitted September 26, 2000; accepted February 6, 2001.

The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. Therefore, and solely to indicate this fact, this article is hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. section 1734.

Reprints: Brian L. Kelsall, Immune Cell Interaction Unit, Mucosal Immunity Section, National Institutes of Health, Bldg 10, Rm 11N238, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20892-1890; e-mail: kelsall{at}nih.gov.


    References
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Results
Discussion
References

1. Clerici M, Stocks NI, Zajac RA, et al. Detection of three distinct patterns of T helper cell dysfunction in asymptomatic, human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients: independence of CD4+ cell numbers and clinical staging. J Clin Invest. 1989;84:1892-1899.

2. Gruters RA, Terpstra FG, De Jong R, Van Noesel CJ, Van Lier RA, Miedema F. Selective loss of T cell functions in different stages of HIV infection: early loss of anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation followed by decreased anti-CD3-induced cytotoxic T lymphocyte generation in AIDS-related complex and AIDS. Eur J Immunol. 1990;20:1039-1044[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

3. Miedema F, Petit AJ, Terpstra FG, et al. Immunological abnormalities in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected asymptomatic homosexual men: HIV affects the immune system before CD4+ T helper cell depletion occurs. J Clin Invest. 1988;82:1908-1914.

4. Khoo SH, Wilkins EG, Fraser IS, Hamour AA, Stanford JL. Lack of skin test reactivity to common mycobacterial antigens in human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals with high CD4 counts. Thorax. 1996;51:932-935[Abstract/Free Full Text].

5. Maggi E, Mazzetti M, Ravina A, et al. Ability of HIV to promote a TH1 to TH0 shift and to replicate preferentially in TH2 and TH0 cells [see comments]. Science. 1994;265:244-248[Abstract/Free Full Text].

6. Nicastri E, Sarmati L, Ercoli L, et al. Reduction of IFN-gamma and IL-2 production by peripheral lymphocytes of HIV-exposed seronegative subjects [In Process Citation]. AIDS. 1999;13:1333-1336[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

7. Ballet JJ, Couderc LJ, Rabian-Herzog C, et al. Impaired T-lymphocyte-dependent immune responses to microbial antigens in patients with HIV-1-associated persistent generalized lymphadenopathy. AIDS. 1988;2:291-297[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

8. Chougnet C, Wynn TA, Clerici M, et al. Molecular analysis of decreased interleukin-12 production in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus. J Infect Dis. 1996;174:46-53[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

9. Chehimi J, Starr SE, Frank I, et al. Impaired interleukin 12 production in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. J Exp Med. 1994;179:1361-1366[Abstract/Free Full Text].

10. Klein SA, Dobmeyer JM, Dobmeyer TS, et al. Demonstration of the Th1 to Th2 cytokine shift during the course of HIV-1 infection using cytoplasmic cytokine detection on single cell level by flow cytometry. AIDS. 1997;11:1111-1118[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

11. Harrison TS, Levitz SM. Role of IL-12 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses to fungi in persons with and without HIV infection. J Immunol. 1996;156:4492-4497[Abstract].

12. Gazzinelli RT, Bala S, Stevens R, et al. HIV infection suppresses type 1 lymphokine and IL-12 responses to Toxoplasma gondii but fails to inhibit the synthesis of other parasite-induced monokines. J Immunol. 1995;155:1565-1574[Abstract].

13. Meyaard L, Hovenkamp E, Pakker N, van der Pouw Kraan TC, Miedema F. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) production in whole blood cultures from human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals studied in relation to IL-10 and prostaglandin E2 production. Blood. 1997;89:570-576[Abstract/Free Full Text].

14. Marshall JD, Chehimi J, Gri G, Kostman JR, Montaner LJ, Trinchieri G. The interleukin-12-mediated pathway of immune events is dysfunctional in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. Blood. 1999;94:1003-1011[Abstract/Free Full Text].

15. Angel JB, Kumar A, Parato K, et al. Improvement in cell-mediated immune function during potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus therapy with ritonavir plus saquinavir. J Infect Dis. 1998;177:898-904[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

16. Andersson J, Fehniger TE, Patterson BK, et al. Early reduction of immune activation in lymphoid tissue following highly active HIV therapy. AIDS. 1998;12:F123-F129[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

17. Clerici M, Seminari E, Suter F, et al. Different immunologic profiles characterize HIV infection in highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated and antiretroviral-naive patients with undetectable viraemia: the Master Group. AIDS. 2000;14:109-116[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

18. Clerici M, Lucey DR, Berzofsky JA, et al. Restoration of HIV-specific cell-mediated immune responses by interleukin-12 in vitro. Science. 1993;262:1721-1724[Abstract/Free Full Text].

19. Landay AL, Clerici M, Hashemi F, Kessler H, Berzofsky JA, Shearer GM. In vitro restoration of T cell immune function in human immunodeficiency virus-positive persons: effects of interleukin (IL)-12 and anti-IL-10. J Infect Dis. 1996;173:1085-1091[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

20. Foli A, Saville MW, Baseler MW, Yarchoan R. Effects of the Th1 and Th2 stimulatory cytokines interleukin-12 and interleukin-4 on human immunodeficiency virus replication. Blood. 1995;85:2114-2123[Abstract/Free Full Text].

21. Newman GW, Guarnaccia JR, Vance EA III, Wu JY, Remold HG, Kazanjian PH Jr. Interleukin-12 enhances antigen-specific proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-positive and negative donors in response to Mycobacterium avium. AIDS. 1994;8:1413-1419[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

22. Ledru E, Lecoeur H, Garcia S, Debord T, Gougeon ML. Differential susceptibility to activation-induced apoptosis among peripheral Th1 subsets: correlation with Bcl-2 expression and consequences for AIDS pathogenesis. J Immunol. 1998;160:3194-3206[Abstract/Free Full Text].

23. Clerici M, Sarin A, Berzofsky JA, et al. Antigen-stimulated apoptotic T-cell death in HIV infection is selective for CD4+ T cells, modulated by cytokines and effected by lymphotoxin. AIDS. 1996;10:603-611[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

24. Estaquier J, Idziorek T, Zou W, et al. T helper type 1/T helper type 2 cytokines and T cell death: preventive effect of interleukin 12 on activation-induced and CD95 (FAS/APO-1)-mediated apoptosis of CD4+ T cells from human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons. J Exp Med. 1995;182:1759-1767[Abstract/Free Full Text].

25. Clerici M, Sarin A, Coffman RL, et al. Type 1/type 2 cytokine modulation of T-cell programmed cell death as a model for human immunodeficiency virus pathogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994;91:11811-11815[Abstract/Free Full Text].

26. Su SB, Gong WH, Gao JL, et al. T20/DP178, an ectodomain peptide of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41, is an activator of human phagocyte N-formyl peptide receptor. Blood. 1999;93:3885-3892[Abstract/Free Full Text].

27. Deng X, Ueda H, Su SB, et al. A synthetic peptide derived from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 down-regulates the expression and function of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 in monocytes by activating the 7-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor FPRL1/LXA4R. Blood. 1999;94:1165-1173[Abstract/Free Full Text].

28. Wild C, Dubay JW, Greenwell T, et al. Propensity for a leucine zipper-like domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 to form oligomers correlates with a role in virus-induced fusion rather than assembly of the glycoprotein complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994;91:12676-12680[Abstract/Free Full Text].

29. Wild CT, Shugars DC, Greenwell TK, McDanal CB, Matthews TJ. Peptides corresponding to a predictive alpha-helical domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 are potent inhibitors of virus infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994;91:9770-9774[Abstract/Free Full Text].

30. Lawless MK, Barney S, Guthrie KI, Bucy TB, Petteway SR Jr, Merutka G. HIV-1 membrane fusion mechanism: structural studies of the interactions between biologically active peptides from gp41. Biochemistry. 1996;35:13697-13708[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

31. Wild C, Greenwell T, Matthews T. A synthetic peptide from HIV-1 gp41 is a potent inhibitor of virus-mediated cell-cell fusion [letter]. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1993;9:1051-1053[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

32. Kilby JM, Hopkins S, Venetta TM, et al. Potent suppression of HIV-1 replication in humans by T-20, a peptide inhibitor of gp41-mediated virus entry [see comments]. Nat Med. 1998;4:1302-1307[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

33. Becker EL, Forouhar FA, Grunnet ML, et al. Broad immunocytochemical localization of the formyl peptide receptor in human organs, tissues, and cells. Cell Tissue Res. 1998;292:129-135[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

34. Fiore S, Maddox JF, Perez HD, Serhan CN. Identification of a human cDNA encoding a functional high affinity lipoxin A4 receptor. J Exp Med. 1994;180:253-260[Abstract/Free Full Text].

35. Su SB, Gong W, Gao JL, et al. A seven-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptor, FPRL1, mediates the chemotactic activity of serum amyloid A for human phagocytic cells. J Exp Med. 1999;189:395-402[Abstract/Free Full Text].

36. Zisman DA, Kunkel SL, Strieter RM, et al. MCP-1 protects mice in lethal endotoxemia. J Clin Invest. 1997;99:2832-2836[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

37. Wittmann M, Zwirner J, Larsson VA, et al. C5a suppresses the production of IL-12 by IFN-gamma-primed and lipopolysaccharide-challenged human monocytes. J Immunol. 1999;162:6763-6769[Abstract/Free Full Text].

38. Karpus WJ, Kennedy KJ, Kunkel SL, Lukacs NW. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 regulates oral tolerance induction by inhibition of T helper cell 1-related cytokines. J Exp Med. 1998;187:733-741[Abstract/Free Full Text].

39. Braun MC, Lahey E, Kelsall BL. Selective suppression of IL-12 production by chemoattractants. J Immunol. 2000;164:3009-3017[Abstract/Free Full Text].

40. Bender A, Sapp M, Schuler G, Steinman RM, Bhardwaj N. Improved methods for the generation of dendritic cells from nonproliferating progenitors in human blood. J Immunol Methods. 1996;196:121-135[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

41. Rabin RL, Park MK, Liao F, Swofford R, Stephany D, Farber JM. Chemokine receptor responses on T cells are achieved through regulation of both receptor expression and signaling. J Immunol. 1999;162:3840-3850[Abstract/Free Full Text].

42. Ma X, Chow JM, Gri G, et al. The interleukin 12 p40 gene promoter is primed by interferon gamma in monocytic cells. J Exp Med. 1996;183:147-157[Abstract/Free Full Text].

43. Aste-Amezaga M, Ma X, Sartori A, Trinchieri G. Molecular mechanisms of the induction of IL-12 and its inhibition by IL-10. J Immunol. 1998;160:5936-5944[Abstract/Free Full Text].

44. Hornquist CE, Lu X, Rogers-Fani PM, et al. G(alpha)i2-deficient mice with colitis exhibit a local increase in memory CD4+ T cells and proinflammatory Th1-type cytokines. J Immunol. 1997;158:1068-1077[Abstract].

45. He J, Gurunathan S, Iwasaki A, Ash-Shaheed B, Kelsall BL. Primary role for Gi protein signaling in the regulation of interleukin 12 production and the induction of T helper cell type 1 responses. J Exp Med. 2000;191:1605-1610[Abstract/Free Full Text].

46. Kamradt T, Soloway PD, Perkins DL, Gefter ML. Pertussis toxin prevents the induction of peripheral T cell anergy and enhances the T cell response to an encephalitogenic peptide of myelin basic protein. J Immunol. 1991;147:3296-3302[Abstract].

47. Ito M, Ishida T, He L, et al. HIV type 1 Tat protein inhibits interleukin 12 production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1998;14:845-849[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

48. Albini A, Ferrini S, Benelli R, et al. HIV-1 Tat protein mimicry of chemokines. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95:13153-13158[Abstract/Free Full Text].

49. Chougnet C, Cohen SS, Kawamura T, et al. Normal immune function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells from HIV-infected individuals: implications for immunotherapy. J Immunol. 1999;163:1666-1673[Abstract/Free Full Text].

50. Konecny P, Stagg AJ, Jebbari H, English N, Davidson RN, Knight SC. Murine dendritic cells internalize Leishmania major promastigotes, produce IL-12 p40 and stimulate primary T cell proliferation in vitro. Eur J Immunol. 1999;29:1803-1811[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

51. Gorak PM, Engwerda CR, Kaye PM. Dendritic cells, but not macrophages, produce IL-12 immediately following Leishmania donovani infection. Eur J Immunol. 1998;28:687-695[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

52. Su SB, Gao J, Gong W, et al. T21/DP107, a synthetic leucine zipper-like domain of the HIV-1 envelope gp41, attracts and activates human phagocytes by using G-protein-coupled formyl peptide receptors. J Immunol. 1999;162:5924-5930[Abstract/Free Full Text].

53. Adamson DC, McArthur JC, Dawson TM, Dawson VL. Rate and severity of HIV-associated dementia (HAD): correlations with Gp41 and iNOS. Mol Med. 1999;5:98-109[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

54. Chad DA, Smith TW, Blumenfeld A, Fairchild PG, DeGirolami U. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated myopathy: immunocytochemical identification of an HIV antigen (gp 41) in muscle macrophages. Ann Neurol. 1990;28:579-582[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

© 2001 by The American Society of Hematology.
 

Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
S. D. Kim, J. M. Kim, S. H. Jo, H. Y. Lee, S. Y. Lee, J. W. Shim, S.-K. Seo, J. Yun, and Y.-S. Bae
Functional Expression of Formyl Peptide Receptor Family in Human NK Cells
J. Immunol., November 1, 2009; 183(9): 5511 - 5517.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
J. Ehrchen, L. Steinmuller, K. Barczyk, K. Tenbrock, W. Nacken, M. Eisenacher, U. Nordhues, C. Sorg, C. Sunderkotter, and J. Roth
Glucocorticoids induce differentiation of a specifically activated, anti-inflammatory subtype of human monocytes
Blood, February 1, 2007; 109(3): 1265 - 1274.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
H. K. Kang, H.-Y. Lee, M.-K. Kim, K. S. Park, Y. M. Park, J.-Y. Kwak, and Y.-S. Bae
The Synthetic Peptide Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-D-Met Inhibits Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cell Maturation via Formyl Peptide Receptor and Formyl Peptide Receptor-Like 2
J. Immunol., July 15, 2005; 175(2): 685 - 692.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
R. Sun, P. Iribarren, N. Zhang, Y. Zhou, W. Gong, E. H. Cho, S. Lockett, O. Chertov, F. Bednar, T. J. Rogers, et al.
Identification of Neutrophil Granule Protein Cathepsin G as a Novel Chemotactic Agonist for the G Protein-Coupled Formyl Peptide Receptor
J. Immunol., July 1, 2004; 173(1): 428 - 436.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Leukoc. Biol.Home page
S. M. Bacot, P. Lenz, M. R. Frazier-Jessen, and G. M. Feldman
Activation by prion peptide PrP106-126 induces a NF-{kappa}B-driven proinflammatory response in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells
J. Leukoc. Biol., July 1, 2003; 74(1): 118 - 125.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
J. Pirhonen, S. Matikainen, and I. Julkunen
Regulation of Virus-Induced IL-12 and IL-23 Expression in Human Macrophages
J. Immunol., November 15, 2002; 169(10): 5673 - 5678.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Right arrow Rights and Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Braun, M. C.
Right arrow Articles by Kelsall, B. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Braun, M. C.
Right arrow Articles by Kelsall, B. L.
Related Collections
Right arrow Immunobiology
Right arrow Phagocytes
Right arrow Signal Transduction
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?

 click for free articles
home about blood authors subscriptions permissions advertising public access contact us
  Copyright © 2001 by American Society of Hematology         Online ISSN: 1528-0020