Alternate class I MHC antigen processing is inhibited by Toll-like receptor signaling pathogen-associated molecular patterns: Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19-kDa lipoprotein, CpG DNA, and lipopolysaccharide

J Immunol. 2003 Aug 1;171(3):1413-22. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.3.1413.

Abstract

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) signal through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to activate immune responses, but prolonged exposure to PAMPs from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and other pathogens inhibits class II MHC (MHC-II) expression and Ag processing, which may allow MTB to evade CD4(+) T cell immunity. Alternate class I MHC (MHC-I) processing allows macrophages to present Ags from MTB and other bacteria to CD8(+) T cells, but the effect of PAMPs on this processing pathway is unknown. In our studies, MTB and TLR-signaling PAMPs, MTB 19-kDa lipoprotein, CpG DNA, and LPS, inhibited alternate MHC-I processing of latex-conjugated Ag by IFN-gamma-activated macrophages. Inhibition was dependent on TLR-2 for MTB 19-kDa lipoprotein (but not whole MTB or the other PAMPs); inhibition was dependent on myeloid differentiation factor 88 for MTB and all of the individual PAMPs. Inhibition of MHC-II and alternate MHC-I processing was delayed, appearing after 16 h of PAMP exposure, as would occur in chronically infected macrophages. Despite inhibition of alternate MHC-I Ag processing, there was no inhibition of MHC-I expression, MHC-I-restricted presentation of exogenous peptide or conventional MHC-I processing of cytosolic Ag. MTB 19-kDa lipoprotein and other PAMPs inhibited phagosome maturation and phagosome Ag degradation in a myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent manner; this may limit availability of peptides to bind MHC-I. By inhibiting both MHC-II and alternate MHC-I Ag processing, pathogens that establish prolonged infection of macrophages (>16 h), e.g., MTB, may immunologically silence macrophages and evade surveillance by both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, promoting chronic infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology*
  • Antigens, Differentiation / physiology
  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • CpG Islands / immunology*
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology*
  • Lipoproteins / physiology
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / microbiology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / chemistry
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Phagocytosis / immunology
  • Phagosomes / immunology
  • Phagosomes / metabolism
  • Phagosomes / microbiology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptors

Substances

  • 19 kDa antigen, Mycobacterium
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Lipoproteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Myd88 protein, mouse
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptors