The DNA Sensor AIM2 Maintains Intestinal Homeostasis via Regulation of Epithelial Antimicrobial Host Defense

SummaryMicrobial pattern molecules in the intestine play immunoregulatory roles via diverse pattern recognition receptors. However, the role of the cytosolic DNA sensor AIM2 in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis is unknown. Here, we show that Aim2−/− mice are highly susceptible to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis that is associated with microbial dysbiosis as represented by higher colonic burden of commensal Escherichia coli. Colonization of germ-free mice with Aim2−/− mouse microbiota leads to higher colitis susceptibility. In-depth investigation of AIM2-mediated host defense responses reveals that caspase-1 activation and IL-1β and IL-18 production are compromised in Aim2−/− mouse colons, consistent with defective inflammasome function. Moreover, IL-18 infusion reduces E. coli burden as well as colitis susceptibility in Aim2−/− mice. Altered microbiota in inflammasome-defective mice correlate with reduced expression of several antimicrobial peptides in intestinal epithelial cells. Together, these findings implicate DNA sensing by AIM2 as a regulatory mechanism for maintaining intestinal homeostasis

Toll-Dependent Control Mechanisms of CD4 T Cell Activation

AbstractToll-like receptors (TLRs) detect microbial infection and play an essential role in the induction of innate and adaptive immune responses. The mechanisms of TLR-mediated control of adaptive immunity are not yet fully understood. Induction of dendritic cell (DC) maturation is essential for activation of naive T cells. Here, we demonstrate that TLR-induced DC maturation and migration to the lymph nodes, in the absence of TLR-induced inflammatory cytokines, are not sufficient for T cell activation in vivo. We show that transient depletion of regulatory T (Tr) cells recovers the primary CD4 T cells response in MyD88-deficient mice, demonstrating that a major mechanism of TLR-mediated activation of T cell responses is the blocking of suppression by regulatory T cells. In addition we show that a TLR-induced signal(s) is required for memory CD4 T cell differentiation, but not for activation of memory T cells

Allergen-Induced C5a/C5aR1 Axis Activation in Pulmonary CD11b+ cDCs Promotes Pulmonary Tolerance through Downregulation of CD40

Activation of the C5/C5a/C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) axis during allergen sensitization protects from maladaptive T cell activation. To explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms, we analyzed the impact of C5aR1 activation on pulmonary CD11b+ conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) in the context of house-dust-mite (HDM) exposure. BALB/c mice were intratracheally immunized with an HDM/ovalbumin (OVA) mixture. After 24 h, we detected two CD11b+ cDC populations that could be distinguished on the basis of C5aR1 expression. C5aR1− but not C5aR1+ cDCs strongly induced T cell proliferation of OVA-reactive transgenic CD4+ T cells after re-exposure to antigen in vitro. C5aR1− cDCs expressed higher levels of MHC-II and CD40 than their C5aR1+ counterparts, which correlated directly with a higher frequency of interactions with cognate CD4+ T cells. Priming of OVA-specific T cells by C5aR1+ cDCs could be markedly increased by in vitro blockade of C5aR1 and this was associated with increased CD40 expression. Simultaneous blockade of C5aR1 and CD40L on C5aR1+ cDCs decreased T cell proliferation. Finally, pulsing with OVA-induced C5 production and its cleavage into C5a by both populations of CD11b+ cDCs. Thus, we propose a model in which allergen-induced autocrine C5a generation and subsequent C5aR1 activation in pulmonary CD11b+ cDCs promotes tolerance towards aeroallergens through downregulation of CD40

BCAP links IL-1R to the PI3K-mTOR pathway and regulates pathogenic Th17 cell differentiation

The toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin (IL)-1 family of receptors share several signaling components, including the most upstream adapter, MyD88. We previously reported the discovery of B cell adapter for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (BCAP) as a novel toll-IL-1 receptor homology domain-containing adapter that regulates inflammatory responses downstream of TLR signaling. Here we find that BCAP plays a critical role downstream of both IL-1 and IL-18 receptors to regulate T helper (Th) 17 and Th1 cell differentiation, respectively. Absence of T cell intrinsic BCAP did not alter development of naturally arising Th1 and Th17 lineages but led to defects in differentiation to pathogenic Th17 lineage cells. Consequently, mice that lack BCAP in T cells had reduced susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. More importantly, we found that BCAP is critical for IL-1R-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, and minimal inhibition of mTOR completely abrogated IL-1β-induced differentiation of pathogenic Th17 cells, mimicking BCAP deficiency. This study establishes BCAP as a critical link between IL-1R and the metabolic status of activated T cells that ultimately regulates the differentiation of inflammatory Th17 cells.</p

IRAK1 Is a Critical Mediator of Inflammation-Induced Preterm Birth.

Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity, often triggered by chorioamnionitis or intrauterine inflammation (IUI) with or without infection. Recently, there has been a strong association of IL-1 with PTB. We hypothesized that IL-1R-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), a key signaling mediator in the TLR/IL-1 pathway, plays a critical role in PTB. In human fetal membranes (FM) collected immediately after birth from women delivering preterm, p-IRAK1 was significantly increased in all the layers of FM with chorioamnionitis, compared with no-chorioamnionitis subjects. In a preterm rhesus macaque model of IUI given intra-amniotic LPS, induction of p-IRAK1 and downstream proinflammatory signaling mediators were seen in the FM. In a C57BL/6J wild-type PTB mouse model of IUI given intrauterine LPS, an IRAK1 inhibitor significantly decreased PTB and increased live birth in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, IRAK1 knockout mice were protected from LPS-induced PTB, which was seen in wild-type controls. Activation of IRAK1 was maintained by K63-mediated ubiquitination in preterm FM of humans with chorioamnionitis and rhesus and mouse IUI models. Mechanistically, IRAK1 induced PTB in the mouse model of IUI by upregulating expression of COX-2. Thus, our data from human, rhesus, and mouse demonstrates a critical role IRAK1 in IUI and inflammation-associated PTB and suggest it as potential therapeutic target in IUI-induced PTB