Lipopeptide PAM3CYS4 Synergizes N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-Induced Calcium Transients in Mouse Neutrophils

Shock. 2018 Oct;50(4):493-499. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001062.

Abstract

N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), a mimic of N-formyl oligopeptides that are released from bacteria, is a potent leukocyte chemotactic factor. It induces intracellular calcium ([Ca]i) transient that is important for various neutrophil biological functions, e.g., adhesion, ROS, and cytokine productions. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), an essential part of host innate immunity, regulate neutrophil activities, but their role in [Ca]i signaling is less clear. In the present study, we examined the effect of several TLR ligands, including Pam3Cys4 (TLR1/2), lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA, TLR2/6), on calcium signaling and on the fMLP-induced [Ca]i transients in mouse neutrophils loaded with Fura-2/AM. We found that unlike fMLP, the three TLR ligands tested did not elicit any detectable Ca flux. However, Pam3Cys4, but not LPS or LTA, markedly synergized the fMLP-induced [Ca]i transients, and had no effect on the host component keratinocyte-derived cytokine (KC)- or C5a-induced calcium flux. The effect of Pam3Cys4 on the fMLP-induced [Ca]i transients is by enhancing extracellular Ca influx, not intracellular Ca release. Surprisingly, deletion of TLR2 or MyD88 in neutrophils had no impact on the Pam3Cys4's effect, suggesting a TLR2-MyD88-independent mechanism. Finally, using the pan PKC activator and inhibitor, we demonstrated that PKC negatively regulated fMLP-induced [Ca]i transients and that inhibition of PKC did not prohibit Pam3Cys4's synergistic effect on the fMLP-induced calcium influx. In conclusion, the present study identified a novel synergistic effect of Pam3Cys4 on fMLP-induced [Ca]i transients, a process important for many neutrophil biological functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Lipopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / pharmacology
  • Neutrophils / drug effects*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Teichoic Acids / pharmacology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipopeptides
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Myd88 protein, mouse
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Pam(3)CSK(4) peptide
  • Teichoic Acids
  • Tlr2 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • lipoteichoic acid
  • N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine
  • methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine
  • Calcium