C5a2 can modulate ERK1/2 signaling in macrophages via heteromer formation with C5a1 and β-arrestin recruitment

Immunol Cell Biol. 2014 Aug;92(7):631-9. doi: 10.1038/icb.2014.32. Epub 2014 Apr 29.

Abstract

The complement system is a major component of our innate immune system, in which the complement proteins C5a and C5a-des Arg bind to two G-protein-coupled receptors: namely, the C5a receptor (C5a1) and C5a receptor like-2 receptor (C5a2, formerly called C5L2). Recently, it has been demonstrated that C5a, but not C5a-des Arg, upregulates heteromer formation between C5a1 and C5a2, leading to an increase in IL-10 release from human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs). A bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay was used to assess the recruitment of β-arrestins by C5a and C5a-des Arg at the C5a1 and C5a2 receptors. C5a demonstrated elevated β-arrestin 2 recruitment levels in comparison with C5a-des Arg, whereas no significant difference was observed at C5a2. A constitutive complex that formed between β-arrestin 2 and C5a2 accounted for half of the BRET signal observed. Interestingly, both C5a and C5a-des Arg exhibited higher potency for β-arrestin 2 recruitment via C5a2, indicating preference for C5a2 over C5a1. When C5a was tested in a functional ERK1/2 assay in HMDMs, inhibition of ERK1/2 was observed only at concentrations at or above the EC50 for heteromer formation. This suggested that increased recruitment of the β-arrestin-C5a2 complex at these C5a concentrations might have an inhibitory role on C5a1 signaling through ERK1/2. An improved understanding of C5a2 modulation of signaling in acute inflammation could be of benefit in the development of ligands for conditions such as sepsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arrestins / genetics
  • Arrestins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / chemistry
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / genetics
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Chemokine / chemistry
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics
  • Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism*
  • beta-Arrestin 2
  • beta-Arrestins

Substances

  • ARRB2 protein, human
  • Arrestins
  • C5aR2 protein, human
  • Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • beta-Arrestin 2
  • beta-Arrestins
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor