FBXW7α attenuates inflammatory signalling by downregulating C/EBPδ and its target gene Tlr4

Nat Commun. 2013:4:1662. doi: 10.1038/ncomms2677.

Abstract

Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) has a pivotal role in innate immune responses, and the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPδ, Cebpd) is a Tlr4-induced gene. Here we identify a positive feedback loop in which C/EBPδ activates Tlr4 gene expression in macrophages and tumour cells. In addition, we discovered a negative feedback loop whereby the tumour suppressor FBXW7α (FBW7, Cdc4), whose gene expression is inhibited by C/EBPδ, targets C/EBPδ for degradation when C/EBPδ is phosphorylated by GSK-3β. Consequently, FBXW7α suppresses Tlr4 expression and responses to the ligand lipopolysaccharide. FBXW7α depletion alone is sufficient to augment pro-inflammatory signalling in vivo. Moreover, as inflammatory pathways are known to modulate tumour biology, Cebpd null mammary tumours, which have reduced metastatic potential, show altered expression of inflammation-associated genes. Together, these findings reveal a role for C/EBPδ upstream of Tlr4 signalling and uncover a function for FBXW7α as an attenuator of inflammatory signalling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation*
  • F-Box Proteins / genetics
  • F-Box Proteins / physiology*
  • F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / physiopathology*
  • Mice
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / physiology*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / physiology*

Substances

  • Cebpd protein, mouse
  • F-Box Proteins
  • F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7
  • Fbxw7 protein, mouse
  • Hif1a protein, mouse
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Gsk3b protein, mouse
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3