Macrophage dectin-1 expression is controlled by leukotriene B4 via a GM-CSF/PU.1 axis

J Immunol. 2012 Jul 15;189(2):906-15. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200257. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

Abstract

Pattern recognition receptors for fungi include dectin-1 and mannose receptor, and these mediate phagocytosis, as well as production of cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and the lipid mediator leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)). The influence of G protein-coupled receptor ligands such as LTB(4) on fungal pattern recognition receptor expression is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of LTB(4) signaling in dectin-1 expression and responsiveness in macrophages. Genetic and pharmacologic approaches showed that LTB(4) production and signaling through its high-affinity G protein-coupled receptor leukotriene B(4) receptor 1 (BLT1) direct dectin-1-dependent binding, ingestion, and cytokine production both in vitro and in vivo. Impaired responses to fungal glucans correlated with lower dectin-1 expression in macrophages from leukotriene (LT)- and BLT1-deficent mice than their wild-type counterparts. LTB(4) increased the expression of the transcription factor responsible for dectin-1 expression, PU.1, and PU.1 small interfering RNA abolished LTB(4)-enhanced dectin-1 expression. GM-CSF controls PU.1 expression, and this cytokine was decreased in LT-deficient macrophages. Addition of GM-CSF to LT-deficient cells restored expression of dectin-1 and PU.1, as well as dectin-1 responsiveness. In addition, LTB(4) effects on dectin-1, PU.1, and cytokine production were blunted in GM-CSF(-/-) macrophages. Our results identify LTB(4)-BLT1 signaling as an unrecognized controller of dectin-1 transcription via GM-CSF and PU.1 that is required for fungi-protective host responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Candida albicans / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / deficiency
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / physiology*
  • Lectins, C-Type / biosynthesis*
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Leukotriene B4 / biosynthesis
  • Leukotriene B4 / deficiency
  • Leukotriene B4 / physiology*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / immunology*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / microbiology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, 129 Strain
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / deficiency
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / physiology
  • Trans-Activators / biosynthesis
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology

Substances

  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4
  • Trans-Activators
  • dectin 1
  • proto-oncogene protein Spi-1
  • Leukotriene B4
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor