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Proinflammatory cytokines of the IL-1 family play an important role for the anti-mycobacterial host defense mechanisms. In the present study we have deciphered the pathways leading from recognition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the production and release of IL-1beta, the most important member of the IL-1 family. By stimulating cells defective in various pattern recognition receptors, we could demonstrate that IL-1beta production is induced by M. tuberculosis through pathways involving TLR2/TLR6 and NOD2 receptors. In contrast, TLR4, TLR9 and TLR1 receptors are not involved in IL-1beta induction. Recognition of M. tuberculosis by TLR and NOD2 leads to transcription of proIL-1beta through mechanisms involving ERK, p38 and Rip2, but not JNK. Interestingly, although caspase-1 is necessary for the processing of proIL-1beta, activation of caspase-1 is not dependent on the stimulation of cells by M. tuberculosis. Monocytes expressed constitutively active caspase-1. The secretion of IL-1beta is dependent on the activation of P2X7-induced pathways by endogenously released ATP. In conclusion, we have dissected the molecular mechanisms responsible for IL-1beta production by M. tuberculosis, and that may contribute to a deeper knowledge of the mechanisms of cell activation by M. tuberculosis.

The generation of a productive primary immune response is dependent on the ability of naive T lymphocytes to recirculate through peripheral lymph organs to encounter specific antigen. The process of naive CD4 + T cell entry into lymph nodes correlates with cell surface expression of L-selectin (CD62L), which mediates early tethering and rolling events to endothelium prior to entry. Here, we demonstrate that surface expression of CD62L enhances CD4 + T cell activation in vitro. The synthetic hydroxamate metalloproteinase inhibitor (BB-3103), specifically inhibits activation-induced shedding of CD62L from CD4 + T cells by TCR cross-linking and lowers proliferation in part by reducing rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of zeta-associated protein 70 kDa (ZAP-70) and by increasing cytosolic free Ca 2 + concentration mobilization. BB-3103 also inhibited the proliferative response of both murine CD4 + Th1 and Th2 subsets in vitro but the inhibitory effects were sustained only in Th2-type cells. Similarly, BB-3103 mediated prolonged inhibition of allergen-dependent peripheral T cell proliferation in atopic dermatitis patients but not in healthy controls. Analysis of CD62L expression on murine CD4 + T cell subsets revealed that surface expression was maintained on Th1 cells but not Th2 cells. The differential effects of BB-3103 on primed effector CD4 + T cells may provide new insights into generating therapeutic agents capable of redressing the Th2/Th1 imbalance in allergic diseases.

IL-23 is regarded as a major pro-inflammatory mediator in autoimmune disease, a role which until recently was ascribed to its related cytokine IL-12. IL-23, an IL-12p40/p19 heterodimeric protein, binds to IL-12Rbeta1/IL-23R receptor complexes. Mice deficient for p19, p40 or IL-12Rbeta1 are resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or collagen-induced arthritis. Paradoxically, however, IL-12Rbeta2- and IL-12p35-deficient mice show remarkable increases in disease susceptibility, suggesting divergent roles of IL-23 and IL-12 in modulating inflammatory processes. IL-23 induces IL-17, which mediates inflammation and tissue remodeling, but the role of IL-12 in this respect remains unidentified. We investigated the roles of exogenous (recombinant) and endogenous (macrophage-derived) IL-12 and IL-23, on IL-17-induction in human T-cells. IL-23 enhanced IL-17 secretion, as did IL-2, IL-15, IL-18 and IL-21. In contrast, IL-12 mediated specific inhibition of IL-17 production. These data support the role of IL-23 in inflammation through stimulating IL-17 production by T lymphocytes, and importantly indicate a novel regulatory function for IL-12 by specifically suppressing IL-17 secretion. These data therefore extend previous reports that had indicated unique functions for IL-23 and IL-12 due to distinct receptor expression and signal transduction complexes, and provide novel insights into the regulation of immunity, inflammation and immunopathology.

The generation of a productive primary immune response is dependent on the ability of naïve T lymphocytes to recirculate through peripheral lymph organs to encounter specific antigen. The process of naïve CD4(+) T cell entry into lymph nodes correlates with cell surface expression of L-selectin (CD62L), which mediates early tethering and rolling events to endothelium prior to entry. Here, we demonstrate that surface expression of CD62L enhances CD4(+) T cell activation in vitro. The synthetic hydroxamate metalloproteinase inhibitor (BB-3103), specifically inhibits activation-induced shedding of CD62L from CD4(+) T cells by TCR cross-linking and lowers proliferation in part by reducing rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of zeta-associated protein 70 kDa (ZAP-70) and by increasing cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration mobilization. BB-3103 also inhibited the proliferative response of both murine CD4(+) Th1 and Th2 subsets in vitro but the inhibitory effects were sustained only in Th2-type cells. Similarly, BB-3103 mediated prolonged inhibition of allergen-dependent peripheral T cell proliferation in atopic dermatitis patients but not in healthy controls. Analysis of CD62L expression on murine CD4(+) T cell subsets revealed that surface expression was maintained on Th1 cells but not Th2 cells. The differential effects of BB-3103 on primed effector CD4(+) T cells may provide new insights into generating therapeutic agents capable of redressing the Th2/Th1 imbalance in allergic diseases.