Chlamydophila pneumoniae causes acute respiratory tract infections and has been associated with development of asthma and atherosclerosis. The production of IL-1β, a key mediator of acute and chronic inflammation, is regulated on a transcriptional level and additionally on a posttranslational level by inflammasomes. In the present study we show that C. pneumoniae-infected human mononuclear cells produce IL-1β protein depending on an inflammasome consisting of NLRP3, the adapter protein ASC and caspase-1. We further found that the small GTPase Rac1 is activated in C. pneumoniae-infected cells. Importantly, studies with specific inhibitors as well as siRNA show that Rac1 regulates inflammasome activation in C. pneumoniae-infected cells. In conclusion, C. pneumoniae infection of mononuclear cells stimulates IL-1β production dependent on a NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated processing of proIL-1β which is controlled by Rac1.

Einleitung: Die Freisetzung potenter pro-inflammatorischer Mediatoren ist nicht nur bedeutend für eine effiziente Wirtsantwort sondern birgt ebenfalls die Gefahr einer gravierenden Gewebe-zerstörenden Entzündungsreaktion welche in der schweren Pneumokokkenpneumonie auftreten kann. Eine sensible Balance zwischen einer stabilen inflammatorischen Antwort zur Erregerelimination und dem Verlust der Lungenfunktion ist deshalb von Nöten.

Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular, Gram-positive bacterium that can cause life-threatening illness especially in immunocompromised individuals and newborns. The pathogen propagates within the cytosol of various host cells after escaping from the phagosomal compartment depending on the cytolysin listeriolysin O. While L. monocytogenes can manipulate the endocytic and many host-cell signaling cascades to its advantage, host cells are however capable of detecting Listeria infection at different cellular compartments by expressing innate immune receptors that trigger antibacterial defense pathways. These receptors include the Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and cytosolic DNA sensors. Some NLRs as well as the DNA sensor AIM2 form multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes. Inflammasomes regulate caspase-1-dependent production of the key inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 as well as pyroptotic cell death in L. monocytogenes-infected cells. This review describes the current knowledge about innate immune sensing and inflammasome activation in Listeria infection.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae cause respiratory tract infections and has been associated with development of asthma and atherosclerosis. The innate immune system recognizes C. pneumoniae via TLR2, TLR4 and NOD1/2 and thus initiates a NF-κB-driven gene expression of e.g. proIL-1β. proIL-1β needs subsequently to be processed to mature IL-1β by multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes which are formed by NOD-like receptor (NLR) molecules, ASC and caspase-1. In the present study we show that C. pneumoniae-infected human monocytes produced mature IL-1β. siRNA experiments revealed that the NLR NLRP3, the adapter protein ASC and caspase-1 mediate production of mature IL-1β in C. pneumoniae-infected human monocytes. In contrast, neither NLRP6 nor NLRP12 seemed to have an impact on IL-1β processing in C. pneumoniae-infected host cells. Moreover, studies with specific inhibitors as well as siRNA identified the small GTPase Rac1 as an important signaling molecule in C. pneumoniae-mediated inflammasome activation. In conclusion, C. pneumoniae infection of human monocytes activates an inflammasome composed of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 which together with Rac1 play a crucial role for the production of mature IL-1β.

Diseases of the respiratory tract are among the leading causes of death in the world population. Increasing evidence points to a key role of the innate immune system with its pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in both infectious and noninfectious lung diseases, which include pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute lung injury, pneumoconioses, and asthma. PRRs are capable of sensing different microbes as well as endogenous molecules that are released after cell damage. This PRR engagement is the prerequisite for the initiation of immune responses to infections and tissue injuries which can be beneficial or detrimental to the host. PRRs include the Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, RIG-I like receptors, and cytosolic DNA sensors. The PRRs and their signaling pathways represent promising targets for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions in various lung diseases.

Different NOD-like receptors, including NLRP1, NLRP3, and NLRC4, as well as the recently identified HIN-200 protein, AIM2, form multiprotein complexes called inflammasomes, which mediate caspase-1–dependent processing of pro-IL-1β. Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular pathogen that is actively phagocytosed by monocytes/macrophages and subsequently escapes from the phagosome into the host cell cytosol, depending on its pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO). In this study, we demonstrate that human PBMCs produced mature IL-1β when infected with wild-type L. monocytogenes or when treated with purified LLO. L. monocytogenes mutants lacking LLO or expressing a noncytolytic LLO as well as the avirulent Listeria innocua induced strongly impaired IL-1β production. RNA interference and inhibitor experiments in human PBMCs as well as experiments in Nlrp3 and Rip2 knockout bone marrow-derived macrophages demonstrated that the Listeria-induced IL-1β release was dependent on ASC, caspase-1, and NLRP3, whereas NOD2, Rip2, NLRP1, NLRP6, NLRP12, NLRC4, and AIM2 appeared to be dispensable. We found that L. monocytogenes-induced IL-1β production was largely dependent on phagosomal acidification and cathepsin B release, whereas purified LLO activated an IL-1β production independently of these mechanisms. Our results indicate that L. monocytogenes-infected human PBMCs produced IL-1β, largely depending on an LLO-mediated phagosomal rupture and cathepsin B release, which is sensed by Nlrp3. In addition, an LLO-dependent but cathepsin B-independent NLRP3 activation might contribute to some extent to the IL-1β production in L. monocytogenes-infected cells.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection of the vascular wall as well as activation of the transcription factor IFN regulatory factor (IRF)3 have been linked to development of chronic vascular lesions and atherosclerosis. The innate immune system detects invading pathogens by use of pattern recognition receptors, some of which are able to stimulate IRF3/7 activation and subsequent type I IFN production (e. g., IFN-beta). In this study, we show that infection of human endothelial cells with C. pneumoniae-induced production of IFN-beta, a cytokine that so far has been mainly associated with antiviral immunity. Moreover, C. pneumoniae infection led to IRF3 and IRF7 nuclear translocation in HUVECs and RNA interference experiments showed that IRF3 and IRF7 as well as the mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) were essential for IFN-beta induction. Finally, C. pneumoniae replication was enhanced in endothelial cells in which IRF3, IRF7, or MAVS expression was inhibited by small interfering RNA and attenuated by IFN-beta treatment. In conclusion, C. pneumoniae infection of endothelial cells activates an MAVS-, IRF3-, and IRF7-dependent signaling, which controls bacterial growth and might modulate development of vascular lesions.

The release of potent proinflammatory mediators is not only central for mounting an efficient host response, but also bears the risk for deleterious excessive tissue-damaging inflammation. This is highlighted in severe pneumococcal pneumonia, in which the delicate balance between a robust inflammatory response to kill pneumococci and loss of organ function determines the outcome of disease. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Krüppel-like factor (KLF)2 counterregulates pneumococci- and pattern recognition receptor-related human lung cell activation. Pneumococci induced KLF2 expression in vitro and in a murine pneumonia model. Activation of TLR2- and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein 2-related signaling induced KLF2 expression in a PI3K-dependent manner. Overexpression of KLF2 downregulated pneumococci-, TLR2-, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein 2-related NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression and IL-8 release, whereas small interfering RNA-based silencing of KLF2 provoked an enhanced inflammatory response. KLF2-dependent downregulation of NF-kappaB activity is partly reversible by overexpression of the histone acetylase p300/CREB-binding protein-associated factor. In conclusion, KLF2 may act as a counterregulatory transcription factor in pneumococci- and pattern recognition receptor-related proinflammatory activation of lung cells, thereby preventing lung hyperinflammation and subsequent organ failure.

Summary Bacteraemia and viraemia are characterised by pathogens entering the bloodstream. Endothelial cells are among the first cells coming into contact with the microbes and also some endogenous molecules which are released by tissue damage. As part of the innate immune system, endothelial cells respond to these contacts by producing inflammatory mediators and expressing surface molecules. The initial sensing of microbial and endogenous danger-associated molecules is mediated by so-called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs can be classified in different protein families such as the Toll-like receptors, the NODlike receptors and the RIG-I-like receptors. By activating inflammatory gene transcription and posttranslational processing, PRRs control the immediate innate immune reaction and also the subsequent adaptive immune response. Here we describe the current knowledge of extra-and intracellular PRRs in endothelial cells and their potential role in sepsis and vascular diseases.

Einleitung: Obgleich überschießende Entzündung bei Pneumonie lebensbedrohliche Störungen der Oxygenierung auslösen kann, ist wenig über gegenregulatorische Mechanismen bekannt. IL-10 ist ein zentrales anti-inflammatorisches Zytokin. Wir untersuchten Mechanismen Pneumokokken-assoziierter IL-10 Bildung.

Objective-Activation of the endothelium by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. Histone modifications impact on the transcriptional activity state of genes. We tested the hypothesis that oxLDL-induced inflammatory gene expression is regulated by histone modifications and experienced the effect of statins on these alterations.Methods and Results-OxLDL-related interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion in endothelial cells was reduced by statins but enhanced by histone deacetylase inhibitors. OxLDL induced lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) and extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2)-dependent acetylation of histone H3 and H4 as well as phosphorylation of histone H3, both globally and on the promoters of il8 and mcp1. Pretreatment of oxLDL-exposed cells with statins reduced the above mentioned histone modification, as well as recruitment of CREB binding protein (CBP) 300, NF-kappa B, and of RNA polymerase II but prevented loss of binding of histone deacetylase (HDAC)-1 and -2 at the il8 and mcp1 gene promoters. OxLDL reduced HDAC1 and 2 expression, and statins partly restored global HDAC-activity. Statin-related effects were reverted with mevalonate. In situ experiments indicated decreased expression of HDAC2 in endothelial cells in atherosclerotic plaques of human coronary arteries.Conclusions-Histone modifications seem to play an important role in atherosclerosis. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2009;29:380-386.)

Legionella pneumophila is an important causative agent of severe pneumonia in humans. The human alveolar epithelium is an effective barrier for inhaled microorganisms and actively participates in the initiation of innate host defense. Although secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is essential for the elimination of invading Legionella spp., mechanisms of Legionella pneumophila-induced release of this cytokine are widely unknown.In this study, we have demonstrated a toll-like receptor (TLR)2- and TLR5-dependent release of GM-CSF in L. pneumophila-infected human alveolar epithelial cells. GM-CSF secretion was not dependent on the bacteria type 11 or type IV secretion system. Furthermore, an increase in protein kinase C (PKC) activity, particularly PKC alpha and PKC epsilon, was noted. Blocking of PKC alpha and PKC epsilon activity or expression, but not of PKC beta, PKC delta, PKC eta, PKC theta, and PKC zeta, significantly reduced the synthesis of GM-CSF in infected cells. While PKCa was critical for the initiation of a nuclear factor-kappa B-mediated GM-CSF expression, PKC epsilon regulated GM-CSF production via activator protein 1.Thus, differential regulation of GM-CSF, production by PKC isoforms, contributes to the host response in Legionnaires' disease.

The outer membrane proteins YadA and invasin of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis promote invasion into mammalian cells through beta(1)-integrins and trigger the production of interleukin (IL)-8. FAK, c-Src and the PI3 kinase were previously found to be important for both YadA- and invasin-promoted uptake. Here, we demonstrate that two different downstream effectors of PI3 kinase, Akt and phospholipase Cgamma1 are required for efficient cell invasion. Inhibition of Akt or phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma)1 by pharmaceutical agents as well as reduced expression of the isoforms Akt1 and Akt2, and of PLC-gamma1 by RNA interference decreased entry of YadA- and Inv-expressing bacteria significantly. In addition, we report that the conventional protein kinases C (PKC)alpha and -beta, positioned downstream of PLC-gamma1, are activated upon Inv- or YadA-promoted cell entry. They colocalize with intracellular bacteria and their depletion by siRNA treatment also resulted in a strong reduction of cell entry. In contrast, neither Akt nor PLC-gamma1, and the PKCs are essential for YadA- and Inv-mediated IL-8 synthesis and release. We conclude that YadA and invasin of Y. pseudotuberculosis both trigger similar signal transduction pathways during integrin-mediated phagocytosis into epithelial cells, which lead to the activation of Akt, PLC-gamma1, PKCalpha and -beta downstream of PI3 kinase, separate from the MAPK-dependent pathway that triggers IL-8 production.

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing protein NOD2 serves as a cytoplasmic pattern recognition molecule sensing bacterial muramyl dipeptide (MDP), whereas TLR2 mediates cell surface recognition of bacterial lipopeptides. In this study, we show that NOD2 stimulation activated Rac1 in human THP-1 cells and primary human monocytes. Rac1 inhibition or knock-down, or actin cytoskeleton disruption increased MDP-stimulated IL-8 secretion and NF-kappa B activation, whereas TLR2-dependent cell activation was suppressed by Rac1 inhibition. p21-activated kinase [Pak]-interacting exchange factor (beta-PIX) plays a role in this negative regulation, because knock-down of beta-PIX also led to increased NOD2-mediated but not TLR2-mediated IL-8 secretion, and coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that NOD2 interacted with beta-PIX as well as Rac1 upon MDP stimulation. Moreover, knock-down of beta-PIX or Rac1 abrogated membrane recruitment of NOD2, and interaction of NOD2 with its negative regulator Erbin. Overall, our data indicate that beta-PIX and Rac1 mediate trafficking and negative regulation of NOD2-dependent signaling which is different from Rac1's positive regulatory role in TLR2 signaling.

In mice, different alleles of the mNAIP5 (murine neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein-5)/mBirc1e gene determine whether macrophages restrict or support intracellular replication of Legionella pneumophila, and whether a mouse is resistant or (moderately) susceptible to Legionella infection. In the resistant mice strains, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptor (NLR) family member mNAIP5/mBirc1e, as well as the NLR protein mIpaf (murine ICE protease-activating factor), are involved in recognition of Legionella flagellin and in restriction of bacterial replication. Human macrophages and lung epithelial cells support L. pneumophila growth, and humans can develop severe pneumonia (Legionnaires disease) after Legionella infection. The role of human orthologs to mNAIP5/mBirc1e and mIpaf in this bacterial infection has not been elucidated. Herein we demonstrate that flagellin-deficient L. pneumophila replicate more efficiently in human THP-1 macrophages, primary monocyte-derived macrophages, and alveolar macrophages, and in A549 lung epithelial cells compared with wild-type bacteria. Additionally, we note expression of the mNAIP5 ortholog hNAIP in all cell types examined, and expression of hIpaf in human macrophages. Gene silencing of hNAIP or hIpaf in macrophages or of hNAIP in lung epithelial cells leads to an enhanced bacterial growth, and overexpression of both molecules strongly reduces Legionella replication. In contrast to experiments with wild-type L. pneumophila, hNAIP or hIpaf knock-down affects the (enhanced) replication of flagellin-deficient Legionella only marginally. In conclusion, hNAIP and hIpaf mediate innate intracellular defense against flagellated Legionella in human cells.