A dual activation and inhibition role for the paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B in eosinophils

Blood. 2008 Jun 15;111(12):5694-703. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-12-126748. Epub 2008 Mar 3.

Abstract

The accumulation of eosinophils in inflammatory foci is a hallmark characteristic of Th2 inflammation. Nevertheless, the expression of inhibitory receptors such as paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PIR-B) and their function regulating eosinophil accumulation have received limited attention. We now report that Pirb was up-regulated in an eosinophil-dependent manner in the lungs of allergen-challenged and interleukin (IL)-13-overexpressing mice. Eosinophils expressed high levels of PIR-B, and Pirb(-/-) mice displayed increased gastrointestinal eosinophils. Consistent with these findings, PIR-B negatively regulated eotaxin-dependent eosinophil chemotaxis in vivo and in vitro. Surprisingly, Pirb(-/-) eosinophils and neutrophils had decreased leukotriene B4 (LTB(4))-dependent chemotactic responses in vitro. Furthermore, eosinophil accumulation was decreased in a chitin-induced model, partially dependent on LTB(4). Mechanistic analysis using a miniphosphoproteomic approach revealed that PIR-B recruits activating kinases after LTB(4) but not eotaxin stimulation. Consequently, eotaxin-activated Pirb(-/-) eosinophils displayed markedly increased extracellular signal-related kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, whereas LTB(4)-activated eosinophils had reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We provide multiple lines of evidence supporting a model in which PIR-B displays opposing but potent regulatory functions in granulocyte activation. These data change the conventional wisdom that inhibitory receptors are restricted to inhibitory signals; we therefore propose that a single receptor can have dual functionality in distinct cell types after unique cellular signals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Chemokine CCL11 / metabolism
  • Chemokine CCL24 / metabolism
  • Chemotaxis / immunology
  • Chitin / immunology
  • Chitin / pharmacology
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Eosinophils / metabolism
  • Esophagus / immunology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / immunology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / immunology
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Interleukin-13 / pharmacology
  • Leukotriene B4 / metabolism
  • Lung / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Receptors, CCR3 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Ccl11 protein, mouse
  • Ccl24 protein, mouse
  • Ccr3 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL11
  • Chemokine CCL24
  • Interleukin-13
  • Pirb protein, mouse
  • Receptors, CCR3
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Chitin
  • Leukotriene B4
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3