SOCS1 and -3 proteins are released by alveolar macrophages into exosomes and microparticles, respectively, which are then taken up by alveolar epithelial cells, resulting in inhibition of STAT signaling. This process was dampened by exposure to cigarette smoke and may thus be important in suppressing airway inflammation.

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic, a widely distributed environmental contaminant, can lead to toxic effects, including immunosuppression. Owing to the established roles of human macrophages in immune defense, we determined, in the present study, whether inorganic arsenic can affect these major immune cells. Our results demonstrate that noncytotoxic concentrations of arsenic trioxide (As2O3), an inorganic trivalent form, markedly impair differentiated features of human blood monocyte-derived macrophages. First, treatment of macrophages with 1 μM As2O3 induced a rapid cell rounding and a subsequent loss of adhesion. These morphologic alterations were associated with a marked reorganization of actin cytoskeleton, which includes retraction of peripheral actin extensions and formation of a cortical actin ring. In addition, As2O3 reduced expression of various macrophagic surface markers, enhanced that of the monocytic marker CD14, and altered both endocytosis and phagocytosis; unexpectedly, exposure of macrophages to the metalloid also strongly potentiated expression of TNFα and IL-8 induced by LPS. Finally, like monocytes, As2O3-treated macrophages can be differentiated into dendritic-like cells. Impairment of macrophage function by As2O3 mainly resulted from activation of a RhoA/Rho-associated kinase pathway; indeed, pretreatment of macrophages with the Rho-associated kinase inhibitor Y-27632 prevented metalloid effects on cytoskeleton and phagocytosis. Moreover, As2O3 was found to increase level of the active GTP-bound form of RhoA and that of phosphorylated-Moesin, a major cytoskeleton adaptor protein involved in RhoA regulation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that human macrophages constitute sensitive targets of inorganic arsenic, which may contribute to immunotoxicity of this environmental contaminant.

The staphylococcal bi-component leukocidins Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and γ-haemolysin CB (HlgCB) target human phagocytes. Binding of the toxins' S-components to human complement C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) contributes to cellular tropism and human specificity of PVL and HlgCB. To investigate the role of both leukocidins during infection, we developed a human C5aR1 knock-in (hC5aR1) mouse model. HlgCB, but unexpectedly not PVL, contributed to increased bacterial loads in tissues of hC5aR1 mice. Compared to humans, murine hC5aR1 neutrophils showed a reduced sensitivity to PVL, which was mediated by the toxin's F-component LukF-PV. By performing a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen, we identified CD45 as a receptor for LukF-PV. The human-specific interaction between LukF-PV and CD45 provides a molecular explanation for resistance of hC5aR1 mouse neutrophils to PVL and probably contributes to the lack of a PVL-mediated phenotype during infection in these mice. This study demonstrates an unsuspected role of the F-component in driving the sensitivity of human phagocytes to PVL.

Background Endogenous prostanoids have been suggested to modulate sensitization during experimental allergic asthma, but the specific role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or of specific E prostanoid (EP) receptors is not known. Objective Here we tested the role of EP2 signaling in allergic asthma. Methods Wild type (WT) and EP2−/− mice were subjected to ovalbumin sensitization and acute airway challenge. The PGE2 analog misoprostol was administered during sensitization in both genotypes. In vitro culture of splenocytes and of flow-sorted dendritic cells and T cells defined the mechanism by which EP2 exerted its protective effect. Adoptive transfer of WT and EP2−/− CD4 T cells was used to validate the importance of EP2 expression on T cells. Results As compared to WT mice, EP2−/− mice had exaggerated airway inflammation in this model. Splenocytes and lung lymph node cells from sensitized EP2−/− mice produced more IL-13 than did WT cells, suggesting increased sensitization. In WT but not EP2−/− mice, subcutaneous administration of a stable PGE2 analog during sensitization inhibited allergic inflammation. PGE2 decreased cytokine production and inhibited STAT6 phosphorylation by CD3/CD28-stimulated CD4pos T cells. Co-culture of flow cytometry-sorted splenic CD4pos T cells and CD11cpos dendritic cells from WT or EP2−/− mice suggested that the increased IL-13 production in EP2−/− mice was due to the lack of EP2 specifically on T cells. Adoptive transfer of CD4pos EP2−/− T cells caused greater cytokine production in the lungs of WT mice than did transfer of WT CD4pos T cells. Conclusion We conclude that the PGE2-EP2 axis is an important endogenous brake on allergic airway inflammation, primarily targets T cells, and its agonism represents a potential novel therapeutic approach to asthma.

Macrophage ingestion of Candida albicans requires recognition by multiple receptors and activation of diverse signaling programs. Synthesis of the lipid mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and generation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) also accompany this process. Here we characterized the mechanisms underlying PGE2-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis and of F-actin polymerization in response to ingestion of C. albicans. PGE2 suppressed macrophage phagocytosis and F-actin content through E-series prostanoid 2 and 4 receptors, cAMP, and activation of types I and II protein kinase A, but not guanine nucleotide exchange protein activated by cAMP. Dephosphorylation and activation of the actin depolymerizing factor cofilin-1 was necessary for these inhibitory effects of PGE2. Unexpectedly, cofilin-1 activation by PGE2 was mediated by the protein phosphatase activity of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10), with which it directly associated. Because PGE2 overproduction accompanies many immunosuppressed states, the PTEN-dependent pathway described here may contribute to impaired antifungal defenses.

JAK-STAT signaling mediates the actions of numerous cytokines and growth factors, and its endogenous brake is the family of SOCS proteins. Consistent with their intracellular roles, SOCS proteins have never been identified in the extracellular space. Here we report that alveolar macrophages can secrete SOCS1 and -3 in exosomes and microparticles, respectively, for uptake by alveolar epithelial cells and subsequent inhibition of STAT activation. Secretion is tunable and occurs both in vitro and in vivo. SOCS secretion into lung lining fluid was diminished by cigarette smoking in humans and mice. Secretion and transcellular delivery of vesicular SOCS proteins thus represent a new model for the control of inflammatory signaling, which is subject to dysregulation during states of inflammation.

Contrary to the NLRP3 mutations described in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, FMF-associated MEFV mutations do not lead to a constitutive activation of Pyrin. Rather, FMF-associated mutations are hypermorphic mutations that specifically decrease the activation threshold of the Pyrin inflammasome without affecting other canonical inflammasomes.

Inorganic arsenic is an immunotoxic environmental contaminant to which millions of humans are chronically exposed. We recently demonstrated that human primary macrophages constituted a critical target for arsenic trioxide (As2O3), an inorganic trivalent form. To specify the effects of arsenic on macrophage phenotype, we investigated in the present study whether As2O3 could regulate the activity of NADPH oxidase, a major superoxide-generating enzymatic system in human phagocytes. Our results show that superoxide levels were significantly increased in a time-dependent manner in blood monocyte-derived macrophages treated with 1 μM As2O3 for 72 h. Concomitantly, As2O3 induced phosphorylation and membrane translocation of the NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox and it also increased translocation of Rac1 and p67phox. Apocynin, a selective inhibitor of NADPH oxidases, prevented both p47phox translocation and superoxide production. NADPH oxidase activation was preceded by phosphorylation of p38-kinase in As2O3-treated macrophages. The p38-kinase inhibitor SB-203580 prevented phosphorylation and translocation of p47phox and subsequent superoxide production. Pretreatment of macrophages with the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 was found to mimic inhibitory effects of SB-203580 and to prevent As2O3-induced phosphorylation of p38 kinase. Treatment with As2O3 also resulted in an increased secretion of the proinflammatory chemokine CCL18 that was fully inhibited by both apocynin and SB-203580. Taken together, our results demonstrate that As2O3 induced a marked activation of NADPH oxidase in human macrophages, likely through stimulation of a Rho-kinase/p38-kinase pathway, and which may contribute to some of the deleterious effects of inorganic arsenic on macrophage phenotype.