Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU mediates M1-polarization of macrophages/monocytes via TLR1/TLR2 activation.

Polarization of the monocytes and macrophages toward the M1 and M2 states is important for hosts' defense against the pathogens. Moreover, it plays a crucial role to resolve the overwhelming inflammatory responses that can be harmful to the host. Polarization of macrophages/monocytes can be induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). PAMP-mediated monocyte/macrophage polarization is important during the infection, as pathogen can suppress host immune system by altering the polarization status of the macrophages/monocytes. OmpU, an outer membrane porin protein of Vibrio cholerae, possesses the ability to induce pro-inflammatory responses in monocytes/macrophages. It is also able to down-regulate the LPS-mediated activation of the monocytes/macrophages. Such observation leads us to believe that OmpU may induce a state that can be called as M1/M2-intermediate state. In the present study, we evaluated a set of M1 and M2 markers in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line, and THP-1 human monocytic cell line, in response to the purified OmpU protein. We observed that OmpU, as a PAMP, induced M1-polarization by activating the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. OmpU induced formation of TLR1/TLR2-heterodimers. OmpU-mediated TLR-activation led to the MyD88 recruitment to the TLR1/TLR2 complex. MyD88, in turn, recruited IRAK1. Ultimately, OmpU-mediated signaling led to the activation and subsequent nuclear translocation of the NFκB p65 subunit. We also observed that blocking of the TLR1, TLR2, IRAK1, and NFκB affected OmpU-mediated production of M1-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6.

Khan J ，Sharma PK ，Mukhopadhaya A 《-》

Vibrio cholerae porin OmpU induces LPS tolerance by attenuating TLR-mediated signaling.

Porins can act as pathogen-associated molecular patterns, can be recognized by the host immune system and modulate immune responses. Vibrio choleraeporin OmpU aids in bacterial survival in the human gut by increasing resistance against bile acids and anti-microbial peptides. V. choleraeOmpU is pro-inflammatory in nature. However, interestingly, it can also down-regulate LPS-mediated pro-inflammatory responses. In this study, we have explored how OmpU-pretreatment affects LPS-mediated responses. Our study indicates that OmpU-pretreatment followed by LPS-activation does not induce M2-polarization of macrophages/monocytes. Further, OmpU attenuates LPS-mediated TLR2/TLR6 signaling by decreasing the association of TLRs along with recruitment of MyD88 and IRAKs to the receptor complex. This results in decreased translocation of NFκB in the nucleus. Additionally, OmpU-pretreatment up-regulates expression of IRAK-M, a negative regulator of TLR signaling, in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells upon LPS-stimulation. Suppressor cytokine IL-10 is partially involved in OmpU-induced down-regulation of LPS-mediated TNFα production in human PBMCs. Furthermore, OmpU-pretreatment also affects macrophage function, by enhancing phagocytosis in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, and down-regulates LPS-induced cell surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules. Altogether, OmpU causes suppression of LPS-mediated responses by attenuating the LPS-mediated TLR signaling pathway.

Sakharwade SC ，Mukhopadhaya A 《-》

Vibrio cholerae Porin OmpU Activates Dendritic Cells via TLR2 and the NLRP3 Inflammasome.

Dhar V ，Gandhi S ，Sakharwade SC ，Chawla A ，Mukhopadhaya A ... -  《-》

Transmembrane oligomeric form of Vibrio cholerae cytolysin triggers TLR2/TLR6-dependent proinflammatory responses in monocytes and macrophages.

Khilwani B ，Mukhopadhaya A ，Chattopadhyay K 《-》

Differential Recognition of Vibrio parahaemolyticus OmpU by Toll-Like Receptors in Monocytes and Macrophages for the Induction of Proinflammatory Responses.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a human pathogen, and it is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in coastal areas. OmpU is one of the major outer membrane porins of V. parahaemolyticus Host-immunomodulatory effects of V. parahaemolyticus OmpU (VpOmpU) have not been elucidated yet. In this study, in an effort towards characterizing the effect of VpOmpU on innate immune responses of the host, we observed that VpOmpU is recognized by the Toll-like receptor 1/2 (TLR1/2) heterodimer in THP-1 monocytes but by both TLR1/2 and TLR2/6 heterodimers in RAW 264.7 macrophages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognized by both TLR1/2 and TLR2/6 heterodimers; so far, mainly the synthetic ligand Pam2CSK4 has been known to be recognized by both the TLR1/2 and TLR2/6 heterodimers. We also have shown that VpOmpU can activate monocytes and macrophages, leading to the generation of proinflammatory responses as indicated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and NO production in macrophages and TNF-α and IL-6 production in monocytes. VpOmpU-mediated proinflammatory responses involve MyD88-IRAK-1 leading to the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (p38 and Jun N-terminal protein kinase [JNK]) and transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1. Further, we have shown that for the activation of macrophages leading to the proinflammatory responses, the TLR2/6 heterodimer is preferred over the TLR1/2 heterodimer. We have also shown that MAP kinase activation is TLR2 mediated.

Gulati A ，Kumar R ，Mukhopadhaya A 《-》