pubmed:abstractText |
Bacterial DNA containing unmethylated CpG motifs is emerging as an important regulator of functions of human neutrophil granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)). These motifs are recognized by TLR-9. Recent studies indicate that peroxynitrite (ONOO-) may function as an intracellular signal for the production of IL-8, one of the key regulators of leukocyte trafficking in inflammation. In this study we investigated whether bacterial DNA (CpG-DNA) could induce ONOO- signaling in human PMN. Human whole blood, isolated PMN (purity, >95%), and high purity (>99%) PMN respond to CpG-DNA, but not to calf thymus DNA, with secretion of IL-8 and, to a lesser extent, IL-6 and TNF. Methylation of cytosines in CpG-DNA resulted in a complete loss of activity. The endosomal acidification inhibitors, bafilomycin A and chloroquine, inhibited CpG-DNA-induced cytokine release from PMN. CpG-DNA-induced IL-8 mRNA expression and release was also blocked by the NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. CpG-DNA evoked concomitant increases in intracellular superoxide and NO levels, leading to enhanced ONOO- formation and, consequently, nuclear accumulation of c-Fos and NF-kappaB. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-kappaB activation attenuated approximately 75% of CpG-DNA-evoked IL-8 release. These results identify ONOO- -dependent activation of NF-kappaB and c-Fos as an important mechanism that mediates PMN responses, including IL-8 gene expression and release, to bacterial DNA and unmethylated CpG motifs in particular. Enhanced ONOO- formation represents a mechanism by which bacterial DNA may contribute to prolongation and amplification of the inflammatory response.
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pubmed:affiliation |
Research Center, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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