The bacterial quorum-sensing signal molecule N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-L- homoserine lactone reciprocally modulates pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophages

Yifat Glucksam-Galnoy, Roy Sananes, Nava Silberstein, Pnina Krief, Vladimir V. Kravchenko, Michael M. Meijler*, Tsaffrir Zor

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

The bacterial molecule N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C12) has critical roles in both interbacterial communication and interkingdom signaling. The ability of C12 to downregulate production of the key proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in stimulated macrophages was suggested to contribute to the establishment of chronic infections by opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that, in contrast to TNF-α suppression, C12 amplifies production of the major anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in LPS-stimulated murine RAW264.7 macrophages, as well as peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, C12 increased IL-10 mRNA levels and IL-10 promoter reporter activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, indicating that C12 modulates IL-10 expression at the transcriptional level. Finally, C12 substantially potentiated LPS-stimulated NF-κB DNA-binding levels and prolonged p38 MAPK phosphorylation in RAW264.7 macrophages, suggesting that increased transcriptional activity of NF-κB and/or p38-activated transcription factors serves to upregulate IL-10 production in macrophages exposed to both LPS and C12. These findings reveal another part of the complex array of host transitions through which opportunistic bacteria downregulate immune responses to flourish and establish a chronic infection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)337-344
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume191
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2013

Funding

FundersFunder number
European Commission
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesR56AI094348
Seventh Framework Programme240356

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