TIPE2 controls innate immunity to RNA by targeting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Rac pathway

J Immunol. 2012 Sep 15;189(6):2768-73. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103477. Epub 2012 Aug 17.

Abstract

RNA receptors such as TLR3 and retinoid acid-inducible gene I/melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 play essential roles in innate immunity to RNA viruses. However, how innate immunity to RNAs is controlled at the molecular level is not well understood. We describe in this study a new regulatory pathway of anti-RNA immunity that is composed of PI3K, its target GTPase Rac, and the newly described immune regulator TNF-α-induced protein 8 like-2 (TIPE2, or TNFAIP8L2). Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [Poly (I:C)], a dsRNA receptor ligand, activates Rac via its guanine nucleotide exchange factor Tiam; this leads to the activation of cytokine genes and, paradoxically, downregulation of the Tipe2 gene. TIPE2 is a negative regulator of immunity; its deficiency leads to hyperactivation of the PI3K-Rac pathway as exemplified by enhanced AKT, Rac, P21-activated kinase, and IFN regulatory factor 3 activities. As a consequence, TIPE2 knockout myeloid cells are hyperreactive to Poly (I:C) stimulation, and TIPE2 knockout mice are hypersensitive to Poly (I:C)-induced lethality. These results indicate that TIPE2 controls innate immunity to RNA by targeting the PI3K-Rac pathway. Therefore, manipulating TIPE2 or Rac functions can be effective for controlling RNA viral infections.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate* / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / deficiency
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • L Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / physiology*
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Poly I-C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Poly I-C / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • TIPE2 protein, mouse
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Poly I-C