The plastic role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the regulation of immune responses has made them interesting targets for immunotherapy, but also for pathogens or tumors to evade immunity. Functional... Show moreThe plastic role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the regulation of immune responses has made them interesting targets for immunotherapy, but also for pathogens or tumors to evade immunity. Functional alterations of DCs are often ascribed to manipulation of canonical NF-kappa B activity. However, though this pathway has been linked to murine myeloid DC biology, a detailed analysis of its importance in human myeloid DC differentiation, survival, maturation, and function is lacking. The myeloid DC subsets include interstitial DCs and Langerhans cells. In this study, we investigated the role of canonical NF-kappa B in human myeloid DCs generated from monocytes (monocyte-derived DCs [mo-DCs]) or CD34(+) progenitors (CD34-derived myeloid DCs [CD34-mDCs]). Inhibition of NF-kappa B activation during and after mo-DC, CD34-interstitial DC, or CD34-Langerhans cell differentiation resulted in apoptosis induction associated with caspase 3 activation and loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Besides regulating survival, canonical NF-kappa B activity was required for the acquisition of a DC phenotype. Despite phenotypic differences, however, Ag uptake, costimulatory molecule and CCR7 expression, as well as T cell stimulatory capacity of cells generated under NF-kappa B inhibition were comparable to control DCs, indicating that canonical NF-kappa B activity during differentiation is redundant for the development of functional APCs. However, both mo-DC and CD34-mDC functionality were reduced by NF-kappa B inhibition during activation. In conclusion, canonical NF-kappa B activity is essential for the development and function of mo-DCs as well as CD34-mDCs. Insight into the role of this pathway may help in understanding how pathogens and tumors escape immunity and aid in developing novel treatment strategies aiming to interfere with human immune responses. The Journal of Immunology, 2010, 185: 7252-7261. Show less
The phagocyte NAPDH-oxidase complex consists of several phagocyte oxidase (phox) proteins, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon activation. ROS are involved in the defense against... Show moreThe phagocyte NAPDH-oxidase complex consists of several phagocyte oxidase (phox) proteins, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon activation. ROS are involved in the defense against microorganisms and also in immune regulation. Defective ROS formation leads to chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) with increased incidence of autoimmunity and disturbed resolution of inflammation. Because regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress autoimmune T-cell responses and are crucial in down-regulating immune responses, we hypothesized that ROS deficiency may lead to decreased Treg induction. Previously, we showed that in p47(phox)-mutated mice, reconstitution of macrophages (Mph) with ROS-producing capacity was sufficient to protect the mice from arthritis. Now, we present evidence that Mph-derived ROS induce Tregs. In vitro, we showed that Mph ROS-dependently induce Treg, using an NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. This finding was confirmed genetically: rat or human CGD Mph with mutated p47(phox) or gp91(phox) displayed hampered Treg induction and T-cell suppression. However, basal Treg numbers in these subjects were comparable to those in controls, indicating a role for ROS in induction of peripheral Tregs. Induction of allogeneic delayed-type hypersensitivity with p47(phox)-mutated Mph confirmed the importance of Mph-derived ROS in Treg induction in vivo. We conclude that NAPDH oxidase activity in Mph is important for the induction of Tregs to regulate T cell-mediated inflammation. Show less
Gelderman, K.A.; Kraaij, M.D.; Kooij, S.W. van der; Koekkoek, K.; Wang, J.; Holmdahl, R.; Kooten, C. van 2010