Mannan-binding lectin inhibits Candida albicans-induced cellular responses in PMA-activated THP-1 cells through Toll-like receptor 2 and Toll-like receptor 4

PLoS One. 2013 Dec 31;8(12):e83517. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083517. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Background: Candida albicans (C. albicans), the most common human fungal pathogen, can cause fatal systemic infections under certain circumstances. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL),a member of the collectin family in the C-type lectin superfamily, is an important serum component associated with innate immunity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed extensively, and have been shown to be involved in C. albicans-induced cellular responses. We first examined whether MBL modulated heat-killed (HK) C. albicans-induced cellular responses in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated human THP-1 macrophages. We then investigated the possible mechanisms of its inhibitory effect.

Methodology/principal finding: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that MBL at higher concentrations (10-20 µg/ml) significantly attenuated C. albicans-induced chemokine (e.g., IL-8) and proinflammatory cytokine (e.g., TNF-α) production from PMA-activated THP-1 cells at both protein and mRNA levels. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western blot (WB) analysis showed that MBL could inhibit C. albicans-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) DNA binding and its translocation in PMA-activated THP-1 cells. MBL could directly bind to PMA-activated THP-1 cells in the presence of Ca(2+), and this binding decreased TLR2 and TLR4 expressions in C. albicans-induced THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, the binding could be partially inhibited by both anti-TLR2 monoclonal antibody (clone TL2.1) and anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibody (clone HTA125). In addition, co-immunoprecipitation experiments and microtiter wells assay showed that MBL could directly bind to the recombinant soluble form of extracellular TLR2 domain (sTLR2) and sTLR4.

Conclusions/significance: Our study demonstrates that MBL can affect proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine expressions by modifying C. albicans-/TLR-signaling pathways. This study supports an important role for MBL on the regulation of C. albicans-induced cellular responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Candida albicans / immunology*
  • Candida albicans / pathogenicity
  • Cell Line
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-8 / genetics
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mannose-Binding Lectin / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

Substances

  • CXCL8 protein, human
  • Interleukin-8
  • Mannose-Binding Lectin
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TLR2 protein, human
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • DNA
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.31100645, 81373120), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-13-0990), Project of Science and Technology Innovation Talents in Universities of Henan Province (2012HASTIT024), Foundation for University Key Teacher of Henan Province (2010GGJS-117) and Foundation of Henan Educational Committee (12A320017). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.