Notch4 Negatively Regulates the Inflammatory Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection by Inhibiting TAK1 Activation

J Infect Dis. 2018 Jun 20;218(2):312-323. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix636.

Abstract

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, remains a global threat to human health, but knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of tuberculosis is still limited. Although Notch4, a member of the Notch receptor family, is involved in the initiation of mammary tumors, its function in M. tuberculosis infection remains unclear. In this study, we found that Notch4-deficient mice were more resistant to M. tuberculosis infection, with a much lower bacterial burden and fewer pathological changes in the lungs. Notch4 inhibited M. tuberculosis-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines by interaction with TAK1 and inhibition of its activation. Furthermore, we found that Notch intracellular domain 4 prevented TRAF6 autoubiquitination and suppressed TRAF6-mediated TAK1 polyubiquitination. Finally, Notch inhibitors made mice more resistant to M. tuberculosis infection. These results suggest that Notch4 is a negative regulator of M. tuberculosis-induced inflammatory response, and treatment with a Notch inhibitor could serve as a new therapeutic strategy for tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Load
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lung / pathology
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Receptor, Notch4 / deficiency
  • Receptor, Notch4 / metabolism*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / metabolism
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / pathology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Receptor, Notch4
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6
  • TRAF6 protein, mouse
  • Notch4 protein, mouse
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • MAP kinase kinase kinase 7