Reduced surface toll-like receptor-4 expression and absent interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 induction in cystic fibrosis airway cells

Exp Lung Res. 2011 Aug;37(6):319-26. doi: 10.3109/01902148.2011.569968. Epub 2011 Jun 7.

Abstract

ABSTRACT As part of the innate and adaptive immune system, airway epithelial cells secrete proinflammatory cytokines after activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by pathogens. Nevertheless, cystic fibrosis (CF) airways are chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suggesting a modified immune response in CF. The authors have shown that in CF bronchial epithelial cells, a reduced surface expression of TLR-4 causes a diminished interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6 response upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. However, there is no information regarding activation of the MyD88 (myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88)-independent TLR-4 signaling pathway by LPS, which results in the activation of adaptive immune responses by secretion of the T cell-recruiting chemokine interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10. Therefore, the authors investigated the induction of IP-10 in CF bronchial epithelial cell line CFBE41o- and its CFTR-corrected isotype under well-differentiating conditions. TLR-4 surface expression was significantly reduced in CFBE41o- by a factor of 2, compared to the CFTR-corrected cells. In CFTR-corrected cells, stimulation with LPS increased IP-10 secretion. Incubating cells with siRNA directed against TLR-4 inhibited the LPS stimulated increase of IP-10 in CFTR-corrected cells. The reduced TLR-4 surface expression in CF cells causes the loss of induction of IP-10 by LPS. This could compromise adaptive immune responses in CF due to a reduced T-cell recruitment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / biosynthesis
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / deficiency*
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / immunology
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / metabolism
  • Cystic Fibrosis / immunology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-8 / immunology
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / immunology
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Respiratory Mucosa / drug effects
  • Respiratory Mucosa / immunology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism
  • Respiratory System / immunology
  • Respiratory System / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / biosynthesis*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / immunology

Substances

  • CXCL10 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL10
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • MYD88 protein, human
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Interferon-gamma