Macrophage interaction with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) leads to its differentiation into foam cells and cytokine production, contributing to atherosclerosis development. In a previous ...study, we showed that CD36 and the receptor for platelet-activating factor (PAFR) are required for oxLDL to activate gene transcription for cytokines and CD36. Here, we investigated the localization and physical interaction of CD36 and PAFR in macrophages stimulated with oxLDL. We found that blocking CD36 or PAFR decreases oxLDL uptake and IL-10 production. OxLDL induces IL-10 mRNA expression only in HEK293T expressing both receptors (PAFR and CD36). OxLDL does not induce IL-12 production. The lipid rafts disruption by treatment with βCD reduces the oxLDL uptake and IL-10 production. OxLDL induces co-immunoprecipitation of PAFR and CD36 with the constitutive raft protein flotillin-1, and colocalization with the lipid raft-marker GM1-ganglioside. Finally, we found colocalization of PAFR and CD36 in macrophages from human atherosclerotic plaques. Our results show that oxLDL induces the recruitment of PAFR and CD36 into the same lipid rafts, which is important for oxLDL uptake and IL-10 production. This study provided new insights into how oxLDL interact with macrophages and contributing to atherosclerosis development.
OxLDL is recognized by macrophage scavenger receptors, including CD36; we have recently found that Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor (PAFR) is also involved. Since PAFR in macrophages is associated ...with suppressor function, we examined the effect of oxLDL on macrophage phenotype. It was found that the presence of oxLDL during macrophage differentiation induced high mRNA levels to IL-10, mannose receptor, PPARγ and arginase-1 and low levels of IL-12 and iNOS. When human THP-1 macrophages were pre-treated with oxLDL then stimulated with LPS, the production of IL-10 and TGF-β significantly increased, whereas that of IL-6 and IL-8 decreased. In murine TG-elicited macrophages, this protocol significantly reduced NO, iNOS and COX2 expression. Thus, oxLDL induced macrophage differentiation and activation towards the alternatively activated M2-phenotype. In murine macrophages, oxLDL induced TGF-β, arginase-1 and IL-10 mRNA expression, which were significantly reduced by pre-treatment with PAFR antagonists (WEB and CV) or with antibodies to CD36. The mRNA expression of IL-12, RANTES and CXCL2 were not affected. We showed that this profile of macrophage activation is dependent on the engagement of both CD36 and PAFR. We conclude that oxLDL induces alternative macrophage activation by mechanisms involving CD36 and PAFR.
Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) induces macrophage differentiation towards a regulatory phenotype (IL-10high/IL-12p40low). CD36 is involved in the recognition of apoptotic cells (AC), ...and we have shown that the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) is also involved. Here, we investigated the contribution of PAFR and CD36 to efferocytosis and to the establishment of a regulatory macrophage phenotype. Mice bone marrow-derived macrophages were cocultured with apoptotic thymocytes, and the phagocytic index was determined. Blockage of PAFR with antagonists or CD36 with specific antibodies inhibited the phagocytosis of AC (~70–80%). Using immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy, we showed that efferocytosis increased the CD36 and PAFR colocalisation in the macrophage plasma membrane; PAFR and CD36 coimmunoprecipitated with flotillin-1, a constitutive lipid raft protein, and disruption of these membrane microdomains by methyl-β-cyclodextrin reduced AC phagocytosis. Efferocytosis induced a pattern of cytokine production, IL-10high/IL-12p40low, that is, characteristic of a regulatory phenotype. LPS potentiated the efferocytosis-induced production of IL-10, and this was prevented by blocking PAFR or CD36. It can be concluded that phagocytosis of apoptotic cells engages CD36 and PAFR, possibly in lipid rafts, and this is required for optimal efferocytosis and the establishment of the macrophage regulatory phenotype.
The oxidative process of LDL particles generates molecules which are structurally similar to platelet-activating factor (PAF), and some effects of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) have been shown to be dependent ...on PAF receptor (PAFR) activation. In a previous study, we showed that PAFR is required for upregulation of CD36 and oxLDL uptake. In the present study we analyzed the molecular mechanisms activated by oxLDL in human macrophages and the contribution of PAFR to this response. Human adherent monocytes/macrophages were stimulated with oxLDL. Uptake of oxLDL and CD36 expression were determined by flow cytometry; MAP kinases and Akt phosphorylation by Western blot; IL-8 and MCP-1 concentration by ELISA and mRNA expression by real-time PCR. To investigate the participation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, Gαi-coupled protein or PAFR, macrophages were treated with LY294002, pertussis toxin or with the PAFR antagonists WEB2170 and CV3988, respectively before addition of oxLDL. It was found that the addition of oxLDL to human monocytes/macrophages activates the PI3K/Akt pathway which in turn activates the MAPK (p38 and JNK). Phosphorylation of Akt requires the engagement of PAFR and a Gαi-coupled protein. The upregulation of CD36 protein and the uptake of oxLDL as well as the IL-8 production are dependent on PI3K/Akt pathway activation. The increased CD36 protein expression is dependent on PAFR and Gαi-coupled protein. Transfection studies using HEK 293t cells showed that oxLDL uptake occurs with either PAFR or CD36, but IL-8 production requires the co-transfection of both PAFR and CD36. These findings show that PAFR has a pivotal role in macrophages response to oxLDL and suggest that pharmacological intervention at the level of PAFR activation might be beneficial in atherosclerosis.
Chemotherapy is used to treat numerous cancers including melanoma. However, its effectiveness in clinical settings is often hampered by various mechanisms. Previous studies have demonstrated that ...prooxidative stressor-mediated generation of oxidized lipids with platelet-activating factor-receptor (PAF-R) agonistic activity induces systemic immunosuppression that augments the growth of experimental melanoma tumors. We have recently shown that treatment of murine B16F10 melanoma cells in vitro or tumors implanted into syngeneic mice and treated intratumorally with various chemotherapeutic agents generated PAF-R agonists in a process blocked by antioxidants. Notably, these intratumoral chemotherapy-generated PAF-R agonists augmented the growth of secondary (untreated) tumors in a PAF-R dependent manner. As both localized and systemic chemotherapies are used based on tumor localization/stage and metastases, the current studies were sought to determine effects of PAF-R agonists on systemic chemotherapy against experimental melanoma. Here, we show that systemic chemotherapy with etoposide (ETOP) attenuates the growth of melanoma tumors when given subsequent to the tumor cell implantation. Importantly, this ETOP-mediated suppression of melanoma tumor growth was blocked by exogenous administration of a PAF-R agonist, CPAF. These findings indicate that PAF-R agonists not only negatively affect the ability of localized chemotherapy but also compromise the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy against murine melanoma.
Macrófagos (Mf) produzem PAF e PAF-R e eliminam partículas alteradas via CD36. Uptake de oxLDL requer associação CD36/PAF-R. Avaliamos isto na eferocitose. Bloqueio do PAF-R e de lipid rafts (LR) ...inibiu eferocitose. Esta induziu associação PAF-R/CD36 e destes com flotilina-1 (marca LR). Eferocitose induziu IL-10 e IL-12p40. Bloqueio do PAF-R inibiu mais IL-10 e inibição da COX-2 teve efeito similar, sugerindo que eferocitose depende da interação PAF-R/CD36 em LR e que isto induz prostanoides e perfil regulador. Mf adquirirem diferentes fenótipos. Estudamos a participação do PAF-R. Bloqueio do PAF-R antes dos estímulos (IFN-g/LPS, IL-4 ou IgG-SRBC/LPS) inibiu marcadores MCP-1, TNF-a, iNOS, receptor manose, arginase-1 e IL-10, mas não IL-12p40, sugerindo que PAF-R modula fenótipo de Mf. PAF e PAF-like são gerados por estressores oxidativos. Ativação do PAF-R induz imunossupressão sistêmica (IS). Mostramos que terapia fotodinâmica (PDT) in vitro gerou ligantes do PAF-R e in vivo inibiu reação de CHS em WT, mas não em PAF-R KO, sugerindo que PDT induz IS via PAF-R.
Macrophages (Mp) produce PAF and PAF-R and scavenge altered particles via CD36. oxLDL uptake requires association CD36/PAF-R. We analyzed that on efferocytosis. PAF-R and lipid rafts (LR) blockage inhibited efferocytosis. Efferocytosis induced association CD36/PAF-R and both with LR marker protein, and induced IL-10 and IL-12p40. PAF-R and COX-2 blockage inhibited more IL-10, suggesting that efferocytosis depends on PAF-R/CD36 interaction in LR and that this induces prostanoids and regulatory profile. Mp acquire different phenotypes. PAF-R participation in that was analyzed. PAF-R blockage before stimuli (IFN-g/LPS, IL-4 or IgG-SRBC/LPS) inhibited markers MCP-1, TNF-a, iNOS, mannose receptor, arginase-1 and IL-10, but not IL-12p40, suggesting that PAF-R modulates Mp phenotype. PAF and PAF-like are generated by oxidative stressors. PAF-R activation induces systemic immunosuppression (SI). We showed that photodynamic therapy (PDT) in vitro generated PAF-R ligands and in vivo inhibited CHS reaction in WT, but not PAF-R KO, suggesting that PDT induces SI via PAF-R.
The systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. Insulin was shown to have a protective role in SIRS related to sepsis. Lungs ...are particularly affected in this condition and provide a second wave of mediators/cytokines which amplifies SIRS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of insulin on the signaling pathways elicited by LPS in alveolar macrophages (AMs) and its consequence in cellular response to LPS measured as production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). To this purpose, resident AMs from male Wistar rats were obtained by lung lavage and stimulated by LPS (100 ng/mL). Insulin (1 mU/mL) was added 10 min before LPS. Activation (phosphorylation) of signaling molecules by LPS was analyzed by western blot, 30 min after LPS stimulation. TNF was measured in the AMs culture supernatants by bioassay using L-929 tumor cells. Relative to controls, LPS induced a significant increase in the activation of ERK (3.6-fold), p38 (4.4-fold), Tyr-326 Akt (4.7-fold), Ser-473 Akt (6.9-fold), PKCalpha (4.7-fold) and PKCdelta (2.3-fold). Treatment of AMs with insulin before LPS stimulation, significantly reduced the activation of ERK (54%), p38 (48%), Tyr-326 Akt (64%), Ser-473 Akt (41%), PKCalpha (62%) and PKCdelta (39%). LPS induced TNF production in AMs which was also inhibited by insulin (60%). These results show that insulin down-regulates MAPK, PI3K and PKCs and inhibits a downstream effect of LPS, TNF production, in rat AMs stimulated with LPS and suggest that the protective effect of insulin in sepsis could be through modulation of signal transduction pathways elicited by LPS in lung macrophages.
Avaliamos o papel dos leucotrienos (LTs), as vias de sinalização e o efeito da insulina na fagocitose via FcgR por macrófagos alveolares (MAs) de ratos sadios (RS) e diabéticos (RD). Vimos que a) MAs ...de RD fagocitam menos que os de RS; b) a fagocitose é dependente de LTs endógenos em RS mas não em RD; c) a adição de LTB4 ou LTD4 aos MAs em cultura aumenta a fagocitose em RS e RD; d) MAs de RS e RD produzem quantidades equivalentes de LTB4 e LTC4; e) a adição de insulina aos MAs aumenta a capacidade fagocitica em ambos os grupos; f) em RS, a fagocitose via FcgR induz fosforilação de Akt e PKC-d, que é amplificada por LTs endógenos, enquanto que em RD ocorreu fosforilação somente da PKC-d. A foforilação de Akt e PKC-d amplificada por LTs produzidos sob estímulo do FcgR em MAs de RS parece ser, de alguma forma, dependente da ação da insulina, pois MAs provenientes de RD fagocitam menos, a fagocitose não é dependente de LTs endógenos e o estímulo via FcgR não é capaz de ativar a Akt.
We evaluated the role of leukotrienes (LTs), the signaling pathways and the effect of insulin in phagocytosis via FcgR by alveolar macrophages (AMs) from healthy (HR) and diabetic (DR) rats. The results showed that: a) AMs from DR showed lower phagocytic capacity than AMs from healthy rats; b) the phagocytosis was dependent of endogenous LTs in AMs from HR but not DR; c) addition of LTB4 and LTD4 to cultures enhanced the phagocytosis by AMs from HR and DR; d) AMs from HR and DR rats produced similar levels of LTB4 and LTC4; e) addition of insulin to AMs enhanced the phagocytic capacity in HR and DR; f) in HR, the phagocytosis via FcgR induced Akt and PKC-d phosphorylation, which is amplified by endogenous LTs, whereas in DR, only PKC-d was phosphorylated. The phosphorylation of Akt and PKC-d, amplified by LTs produced under FcgR engagement in AMs from HR, seems to be, in a way, dependent of insulin action, because AMs from DR have lower phagocytic capacity, the phagocytosis is not dependent of endogenous LTs and the FcgR engagement is not capable to activate Akt.
Pro‐oxidative stressors suppress host immunity via generating oxidized lipids with Platelet‐activating Factor‐receptor (PAF‐R) agonist activity. Since many chemotherapeutic agents are potent ...pro‐oxidative stressors, the present studies investigated if chemotherapy could thwart host anti‐tumor immunity against melanoma via PAF‐R activation. We demonstrate that treatment of melanoma cell lines and tumors with chemotherapeutic agents generates PAF‐R‐agonists. In a dual tumor model, we show that intratumoral chemotherapy with melphalan or etoposide of one tumor significantly augments the growth of other (untreated) tumor in wild‐type but not in PAF‐R‐deficient hosts. Chemotherapy‐mediated PAF‐R‐dependent increased tumor growth is blocked by systemic administration of antioxidants and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors. In addition, depleting antibodies against regulatory T cells (Tregs) significantly attenuated chemotherapy‐mediated enhanced tumor growth, suggesting the role of Tregs. Moreover, using FoxP3EGFP transgenic mice, we show that COX‐2 inhibitor blocked intratumoral Tregs, indicating that Tregs are downstream to COX‐2. Finally, PAF‐R agonists were identified in perfusates of melanoma patients undergoing isolated limb perfusion with melphalan chemotherapy. These findings provide evidence for a novel pathway by which PAF‐R agonists produced via chemotherapy modulate tumor growth via COX‐2‐Treg pathway. These studies explain some instances of chemotherapy treatment failure and provide potential therapeutic targets that could enhance the overall anti‐tumor effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Grant Funding Source: NIH R01 HL062996, AICR 09A062, ACSIRG 4185607, Showalter Research Trust Fund 4485602