CMRF-35-like molecule 3 preferentially promotes TLR9-triggered proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages by enhancing TNF receptor-associated factor 6 ubiquitination

J Immunol. 2011 Nov 1;187(9):4881-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1003806. Epub 2011 Sep 21.

Abstract

TLRs are critical innate immune sensors in the induction of proinflammatory cytokines to eliminate invading pathogens. However, the mechanisms for the full activation of TLR-triggered innate immune response need to be fully understood. The murine CMRF-35-like molecule (CLM)-3 is a representative of CLM family belonging to the Ig superfamily. Considering that CLM-3 is selectively expressed in macrophages and the roles of CLM members in innate immune response remain unclear, in this study we investigated the role of CLM-3 in the regulation of TLR-triggered innate response. We found that CLM-3 was an endosome/lysosome-localized molecule, and was downregulated in macrophages by stimulation with TLR9 ligand, but not TLR4 and TLR3 ligands. Interestingly, CLM-3 selectively promoted production of TNF-α and IL-6 in macrophages triggered by TLR9, but not TLR4 or TLR3. CLM-3 enhanced activation of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways in TLR9-triggered macrophages. Furthermore, CLM-3-transgenic mice were generated, and CLM-3 expression was confirmed by mAb against CLM-3 that we prepared. Accordingly, the macrophages derived from CLM-3-transgenic mice were more sensitive to TLR9 ligand stimulation, with more pronounced production of TNF-α, IL-6, and increased activation of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways. Moreover, ubiquitination of TNFR-associated factor 6, a crucial signaling transducer of TLR-triggered MAPKs and NF-κB activation, was found to be significantly promoted by CLM-3 in macrophages. Collectively, the endosome/lysosome-localized CLM-3 can promote full activation of TLR9-triggered innate responses by enhancing TNFR-associated factor 6 ubiquitination and subsequently activating MAPKs and NF-κB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology*
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / immunology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, Immunologic / deficiency
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / physiology*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / physiology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*
  • Ubiquitination / immunology*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • CLM-3 protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • TLR9 protein, human
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • Tlr9 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha