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Jay K Kolls

Publications and source records attributed to Jay K Kolls.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Functional relevance of the IL-23-IL-17 axis in lungs in vivo.

It is known that interleukin (IL)-23, an IL-12-family cytokine, can be released by certain antigen-presenting cells in response to bacterial pathogens. Recent in vitro studies indicate that this cytokine stimulates a unique subset of CD4 cells, the T helper cell (Th)17 subset, to produce and release the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17. However, it has not been known whether this is an action of IL-23 per se that has bearing for the early innate response in lungs in vivo and whether there is an IL-23-responsive population of IL-17-producing CD4 cells in the bronchoalveolar space. We now present evidence that IL-23 can be involved in the early innate response to both gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial products in the lungs: Recombinant IL-23 protein per se accumulates inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar space in part via endogenous production of IL-17, and this IL-17 production occurs locally in IL-23-responsive CD4 cells. This IL-17 response to IL-23 occurs without any pronounced impact on Th1/Th2 polarization. Moreover, recombinant IL-23 protein increases the local MMP-9 activity, which is generated by neutrophils mainly. CD4 cells in the lungs may thus respond to IL-23 from antigen-presenting cells exposed to gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens and thereby reinforce the early innate response. These findings support that IL-23 and IL-17 form a functionally relevant "immunological axis" in the lungs in vivo.

Animals↗

Regulatory T cells dampen pulmonary inflammation and lung injury in an animal model of pneumocystis pneumonia.

CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells are decreased in patients infected with HIV and have been shown to be critical in mediating Ag tolerance in the lung. Because a subset of Pneumocystis-infected individuals develop substantial lung injury, which can be modeled in immune reconstituted scid mice, we used mouse models of Pneumocystis carinii to investigate the role of regulatory T cells in opportunistic infection and immune reconstitution. In this study, we show that CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ cells are part of the host response to Pneumocystis in CD4+ T cell-intact mice. Moreover, lung injury and proinflammatory Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung homogenate were increased following CD4+CD25- immune reconstitution in Pneumocystis-infected SCID mice but not in CD4+CD25+ T cell-reconstituted animals. The ability of CD4+CD25+ T cells to control inflammation and injury during the course of Pneumocystis was confirmed by treatment of wild-type C57BL/6 mice with anti-CD25 mAb. These data show that CD4+CD25+ T cells control pulmonary inflammation and lung injury associated with Pneumocystis infection both in the setting of immune reconstitution as well as new acquisition of infection.

Animals↗

IL-23 mediates inflammatory responses to mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in mice.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) develop chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection with mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa; these infections cause significant morbidity. The immunological response in these infections is characterized by an influx of neutrophils to the lung and subsequent lung damage over time; however, the underlying mediators to this response are not well understood. We recently reported that IL-23 and IL-17 were elevated in the sputum of patients with CF who were actively infected with P. aeruginosa; however, the importance of IL-23 and IL-17 in mediating this inflammation was unclear. To understand the role that IL-23 plays in initiating airway inflammation in response to P. aeruginosa, IL-23p19(-/-) (IL-23 deficient) and wild-type (WT) mice were challenged with agarose beads containing a clinical, mucoid isolate of P. aeruginosa. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, bacterial dissemination, and inflammatory infiltrates were measured. IL-23-deficient mice had significantly lower induction of IL-17, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), and IL-6, decreased bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) neutrophils, metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and reduced airway inflammation than WT mice. Despite the reduced level of inflammation in IL-23p19(-/-) mice, there were no differences in the induction of TNF and interferon-gamma or in bacterial dissemination between the two groups. This study demonstrates that IL-23 plays a critical role in generating airway inflammation observed in mucoid P. aeruginosa infection and suggests that IL-23 could be a potential target for immunotherapy to treat airway inflammation in CF.

Animals↗

CXCR3 and IFN protein-10 in Pneumocystis pneumonia.

We have previously shown that Tc1 CD8(+) T cells have in vitro and in vivo effector activity against Pneumocystis (PC) infection in mice. Because these cells have preferential expression of CXCR3, we investigated whether CXCR3 was required for host defense activity against PC. Mice deficient in CXCR3 but CD4(+) T cell intact, showed an initial delay but were able to clear the infectious challenge, indicating that CXCR3 signaling is not essential for clearance of PC. CD4-depleted mice had lower levels of monokine induced by IFN-gamma, IFN protein-10 (IP-10), and IFN-inducible T cell alpha-chemoattractant at day 7 of infection and are permissive to PC infection. Overexpression of IP-10 in the lungs by adenoviral gene transfer did not accelerate clearance of infection in control mice but accelerated clearance by day 28 in mice depleted of CD4(+) T cells. This effect was associated with increased recruitment of CD8(+) T to the lungs with higher CXCR3(+) expression levels and enhanced IFN-gamma secretion upon in vitro activation compared with control mice. These results indicate that the CXCR3 chemokines are part of the host defense response to PC, and that IP-10 can direct Tc1 CD8(+) T cell recruitment to the lungs and contribute to host defense against PC even in the absence of CD4(+) T cells.

Adenoviridae↗

Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) is a critical mediator of antibacterial defense in the lung against Klebsiella pneumoniae but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bacterial pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and is associated with extensive neutrophil accumulation. Major pathogens associated with this disease include nonflagellated Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) and flagellated Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). TLRs are essential for innate immune defense. TIRAP (Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor protein) is an adaptor in TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR6 signaling, whereas MyD88 is an adaptor for all TLRs. However, the importance of TIRAP in pulmonary defense against Kp or Pa has not been examined. To demonstrate the role of TIRAP, TIRAP-deficient and wild-type littermates were intratracheally inoculated with Kp or Pa. We found that TIRAP(-/-) mice had substantial mortality, higher bacterial burden in the lungs, and enhanced dissemination following Kp challenge. Furthermore, Kp-induced neutrophil sequestration, histopathology, and MIP-2, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and LIX (lipopolysaccharide-induced CXC chemokine) production were attenuated in the lungs of TIRAP(-/-) mice. In contrast, TIRAP is not required for Pa-induced mortality, pulmonary bacterial burden, bacterial dissemination, neutrophil accumulation, or histopathology, yet it is necessary for MIP-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production, but not LIX production. However, both Kp- and Pa-induced neutrophil influxes are MyD88 dependent. To determine the mechanisms associated with Pa-induced neutrophil accumulation, we inoculated mice with a flagellin C mutant of Pa (PaDeltafliC) or purified flagellin, a TLR5 agonist. PaDeltafliC-induced neutrophil sequestration and LIX expression are dependent on TIRAP, whereas flagellin-induced neutrophil influx and LIX expression are independent of TIRAP. These novel findings illustrate a pathogen-specific role for TIRAP in pulmonary defense and suggest that TLR5 plays an essential role for Pa-induced neutrophil influx via LIX production.

Animals↗

Interleukin-17 acts independently of TNF-alpha under arthritic conditions.

The proinflammatory T cell cytokine IL-17 is a potent inducer of other cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF-alpha. The contribution of TNF in IL-17-induced joint inflammation is unclear. In this work we demonstrate using TNF-alpha-deficient mice that TNF-alpha is required in IL-17-induced joint pathology under naive conditions in vivo. However, overexpression of IL-17 aggravated K/BxN serum transfer arthritis to a similar degree in TNF-alpha-deficient mice and their wild-type counterparts, indicating that the TNF dependency of IL-17-induced pathology is lost under arthritic conditions. Also, during the course of the streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis model, IL-17 was able to enhance inflammation and cartilage damage in the absence of TNF. Additional blocking of IL-1 during IL-17-enhanced streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis did not reduce joint pathology in TNF-deficient mice, indicating that IL-1 is not responsible for this loss of TNF dependency. These data provide further understanding of the cytokine interplay during inflammation and demonstrate that, despite a strong TNF dependency under naive conditions, IL-17 acts independently of TNF under arthritic conditions.

Animals↗

Critical role of IL-17 receptor signaling in acute TNBS-induced colitis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by recurrent inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Infiltration of CD4 lymphocytes and neutrophils is one of the predominant features of IBD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recently, interleukin (IL)-23 and the downstream T cell-derived cytokine IL-17 have been found to be elevated in intestinal tissue and serum of IBD patients. However, the role of IL-17 and IL-17R signaling in gut inflammation is unknown. To examine this role, we investigated gut inflammation in wild-type or IL-17R knockout mice. RESULTS: Using a model of acute trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, we found that IL-17 was produced in colon tissue at 24 and 48 hours and that IL-17R knockout mice were significantly protected against TNBS-induced weight loss, IL-6 production, colonic inflammation, and local macrophage inflammatory protein-2 induction. This protection occurred in the presence of equivalent induction of local IL-23 and higher levels of IL-12p70 and interferon-gamma in IL-17R knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, IL-17R knockout mice showed reduced tissue myeloperoxidase activity. Furthermore, overexpression of an IL-17R IgG1 fusion protein significantly attenuated colonic inflammation after acute TNBS. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that IL-17R signaling plays a critical role in the development of TNBS-induced colitis and may represent a target for therapeutic intervention for IBD.

Animals↗

Acute and chronic alcohol abuse modulate immunity.

This article represents the proceedings of the Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) meeting, a satellite workshop held at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Leukocyte Biology. The meeting was sponsored by the AIRIG and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The presentations were as follows: (1) Effects of Ethanol on Immune Response to Hepatitis C Virus by Jack R. Wands, (2) Alcohol and Alveolar Macrophage Dysfunction: The Role of Chronic Oxidant Stress by Lou Ann S. Brown, (3) T Cell Responses to Listeria monocytogenes in Mice on a Chronic Ethanol Exposure Protocol by Robert T. Cook, (4) Mechanisms of Acute and Chronic Alcohol Consumption on Severity of Viral Infections by the Liver and Pancreas by Thomas R. Jerrells, (5) Acute and Chronic Effects on Macrophage Ectodomain Shedding: Implications for Lung Host Defenses by Jay K. Kolls, (6) Increased Susceptibility to Pseudomonas Infection of Burn-Injured Mice Given Alcohol Before Injury by Elizabeth J. Kovacs, (7) Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha Expression in Macrophages by Chronic Ethanol by Laura E. Nagy, and (8) Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Alcohol Use by Gyongyi Szabo. Meeting coorganizers were Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Lou Ann S. Brown, Thomas R. Jerrells, and Robert T. Cook.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Oxidative stress in sepsis: a redox redux.

Sepsis and sepsis syndrome are leading causes of mortality throughout the world. It is widely held that sepsis represents a dysregulated innate immune response to an offending pathogen. This immune response is often initiated via microbial products signaling through TLRs expressed on host immune cells. There is increasing evidence that this innate response can be dramatically influenced by the cellular redox state, and thus a better understanding of oxidative regulation of innate immunity could lead to new treatments for sepsis. In this issue of the JCI, Thimmulappa et al. show that nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a member of the "cap'n'collar" family of basic region-leucine zipper transcription factors, which has previously been shown to be involved in the transcription of antioxidant gene expression in response to xenobiotic stress, is also a critical regulator of cellular oxidative stress in sepsis (see the related article beginning on page 984).

Animals↗

Up-regulation of AMP-activated kinase by dysfunctional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells mitigates excessive inflammation.

AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a ubiquitous metabolic sensor that inhibits the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). To determine whether CFTR reciprocally regulates AMPK function in airway epithelia and whether such regulation is involved in lung inflammation, AMPK localization, expression, and activity and cellular metabolic profiles were compared as a function of CFTR status in CF and non-CF primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. As compared with non-CF HBE cells, CF cells had greater and more diffuse AMPK staining and had greater AMPK activity than their morphologically matched non-CF counterparts. The cellular [AMP]/[ATP] ratio was higher in undifferentiated than in differentiated non-CF cells, which correlated with AMPK activity under these conditions. However, this nucleotide ratio did not predict AMPK activity in differentiating CF cells. Inhibiting channel activity in non-CF cells did not affect AMPK activity or metabolic status, but expressing functional CFTR in CF cells reduced AMPK activity without affecting cellular [AMP]/[ATP]. Therefore, lack of functional CFTR expression and not loss of channel activity in CF cells appears to up-regulate AMPK activity in CF HBE cells, presumably through non-metabolic effects on upstream regulatory pathways. Compared with wild-type CFTR-expressing immortalized CF bronchial epithelial (CFBE) cells, DeltaF508-CFTR-expressing CFBE cells had greater AMPK activity and greater secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the interleukins IL-6 and IL-8. Further pharmacologic AMPK activation inhibited inflammatory mediator secretion in both wild type- and DeltaF508-expressing cells, suggesting that AMPK activation in CF airway cells is an adaptive response that reduces inflammation. We propose that therapies to activate AMPK in the CF airway may be beneficial in reducing excessive airway inflammation, a major cause of CF morbidity.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

The beta-glucan receptor dectin-1 recognizes specific morphologies of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Alveolar macrophages represent a first-line innate host defense mechanism for clearing inhaled Aspergillus fumigatus from the lungs, yet contradictory data exist as to which alveolar macrophage recognition receptor is critical for innate immunity to A. fumigatus. Acknowledging that the A. fumigatus cell wall contains a high beta-1,3-glucan content, we questioned whether the beta-glucan receptor dectin-1 played a role in this recognition process. Monoclonal antibody, soluble receptor, and competitive carbohydrate blockage indicated that the alveolar macrophage inflammatory response, specifically the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, CXCL2/macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), CCL3/macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and granulocyte monocyte-CSF (GM-CSF), to live A. fumigatus was dependent on recognition via the beta-glucan receptor dectin-1. The inflammatory response was triggered at the highest level by A. fumigatus swollen conidia and early germlings and correlated to the levels of surface-exposed beta glucans, indicating that dectin-1 preferentially recognizes specific morphological forms of A. fumigatus. Intratracheal administration of A. fumigatus conidia to mice in the presence of a soluble dectin-Fc fusion protein reduced both lung proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine levels and cellular recruitment while modestly increasing the A. fumigatus fungal burden, illustrating the importance of beta-glucan-initiated dectin-1 signaling in defense against this pathogen. Collectively, these data show that dectin-1 is centrally required for the generation of alveolar macrophage proinflammatory responses to A. fumigatus and to our knowledge provides the first in vivo evidence for the role of dectin-1 in fungal innate defense.

Aspergillosis↗

CD4+ T cell-independent DNA vaccination against opportunistic infections.

Depletion or dysfunction of CD4+ T lymphocytes profoundly perturbs host defenses and impairs immunogenicity of vaccines. Here, we show that plasmid DNA vaccination with a cassette encoding antigen (OVA) and a second cassette encoding full-length CD40 ligand (CD40L), a molecule expressed on activated CD4+ T lymphocytes and critical for T cell helper function, can elicit significant titers of antigen-specific immunoglobulins in serum and Tc1 CD8+ T cell responses in CD4-deficient mice. To investigate whether this approach leads to CD4+ T cell-independent vaccine protection against a prototypic AIDS-defining infection, Pneumocystis (PC) pneumonia, we used serum from mice vaccinated with PC-pulsed, CD40L-modified DCs to immunoprecipitate PC antigens. Kexin, a PC antigen identified by this approach, was used in a similar DNA vaccine strategy with or without CD40L. CD4-deficient mice receiving DNA vaccines encoding Kexin and CD40L showed significantly higher anti-PC IgG titers as well as opsonic killing of PC compared with those vaccinated with Kexin alone. Moreover, CD4-depleted, Kexin-vaccinated mice showed a 3-log greater protection in a PC challenge model. Adoptive transfer of CD19+ cells or IgG to SCID mice conferred protection against PC challenge, indicating a role of humoral immunity in the protection. The results of these studies show promise for CD4-independent vaccination against HIV-related or other opportunistic pathogens.

Adenoviridae↗

IL-17 enhances the net angiogenic activity and in vivo growth of human non-small cell lung cancer in SCID mice through promoting CXCR-2-dependent angiogenesis.

In this study, we examined the biological action of IL-17 on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although IL-17 had no direct effect on the in vitro growth rate of NSCLC, IL-17 selectively augmented the secretion of an array of angiogenic CXC chemokines, including CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL6, and CXCL8 but not angiostatic chemokines, by three different NSCLC lines. Endothelial cell chemotactic activity (as a measure of net angiogenic potential) was increased in response to conditioned medium from NSCLC stimulated with IL-17 compared with those from unstimulated NSCLC. Enhanced chemotactic activity was suppressed by neutralizing mAb(s) to CXCL1, CXCL5, and CXCL8 or to CXCR-2 but not to vascular endothelial growth factor-A. Transfection with IL-17 into NSCLC had no effect on the in vitro growth, whereas IL-17 transfectants grew more rapidly compared with controls when transplanted in SCID mice. This IL-17-elicited enhancement of NSCLC growth was associated with increased tumor vascularity. Moreover, treatment with anti-mouse CXCR-2-neutralizing Ab significantly attenuated the growth of both neomycin phosphotransferase gene-transfected and IL-17-transfected NSCLC tumors in SCID mice. A potential role for IL-17 in modulation of the human NSCLC phenotype was supported by the findings that, in primary NSCLC tissues, IL-17 expression was frequently detected in accumulating and infiltrating inflammatory cells and that high levels of IL-17 expression were associated with increased tumor vascularity. These results demonstrate that IL-17 increases the net angiogenic activity and in vivo growth of NSCLC via promoting CXCR-2-dependent angiogenesis and suggest that targeting CXCR-2 signaling may be a novel promising strategy to treat patients with NSCLC.

Animals↗

Alcohol reversibly disrupts TNF-alpha/TACE interactions in the cell membrane.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse has long been known to adversely affect innate and adaptive immune responses and pre-dispose to infections. One cellular mechanism responsible for this effect is alcohol-induced suppression of TNF-alpha (TNF) by mononuclear phagocytes. We have previously shown that alcohol in part inhibits TNF-alpha processing by TNF converting enzyme (TACE) in human monocytes. We hypothesized that the chain length of the alcohol is critical for post-transcriptional suppression of TNF secretion. METHODS: Due to the complex transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of TNF in macrophages, to specifically study TNF processing at the cell membrane we performed transient transfections of A549 cells with the TNF cDNA driven by the heterologous CMV promoter. TNF/TACE interactions at the cell surface were assessed using fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy. RESULTS: The single carbon alcohol, methanol suppressed neither TNF secretion nor FRET efficiency between TNF and TACE. However, 2, 3, and 4 carbon alcohols were potent suppressors of TNF processing and FRET efficiency. The effect of ethanol, a 2-carbon alcohol was reversible. CONCLUSION: These data show that inhibition of TNF-alpha processing by acute ethanol is a direct affect of ethanol on the cell membrane and is reversible upon cessation or metabolism.

ADAM Proteins↗

Inflammatory cells as a source of airspace extracellular superoxide dismutase after pulmonary injury.

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is an antioxidant abundant in the lung. Previous studies demonstrated depletion of lung parenchymal EC-SOD in mouse models of interstitial lung disease coinciding with an accumulation of EC-SOD in airspaces. EC-SOD sticks to the matrix by a proteolytically sensitive heparin-binding domain; therefore, we hypothesized that interstitial inflammation and matrix remodeling contribute to proteolytic redistribution of EC-SOD from lung parenchyma into the airspaces. To determine if inflammation limited to airspaces leads to EC-SOD redistribution, we examined a bacterial pneumonia model. This model led to increases in airspace polymorphonuclear leukocytes staining strongly for EC-SOD. EC-SOD accumulated in airspaces at 24 h without depletion of EC-SOD from lung parenchyma. This led us to hypothesize that airspace EC-SOD was released from inflammatory cells and was not a redistribution of matrix EC-SOD. To test this hypothesis, transgenic mice with lung-specific expression of human EC-SOD were treated with asbestos or bleomycin to initiate an interstitial lung injury. In these studies, EC-SOD accumulating in airspaces was entirely the mouse isoform, demonstrating an extrapulmonary source (inflammatory cells) for this EC-SOD. We also demonstrate that EC-SOD knockout mice possess greater lung inflammation in response to bleomycin and bacteria when compared with wild types. We conclude that the source of accumulating EC-SOD in airspaces in interstitial lung disease is inflammatory cells and not the lung and that interstitial processes such as those found in pulmonary fibrosis are required to remove EC-SOD from lung matrix.

Animals↗

Pneumocystis: immune recognition and evasion.

Pulmonary infection caused by the opportunistic fungal organism Pneumocystis continues to be a leading AIDS defining illness. The initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the HIV-infected population has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), although recent trends suggest the incidence has plateaued rather than decreased. Host defense against Pneumocystis involves a delicate, concerted balance between the inflammatory response and immune-mediated clearance. Innate cellular immunity is a cornerstone in this response as it provides the initial recognition event that precipitates an immune response, ultimately leading to clearance of the organism from the host. This review will focus on carbohydrate moieties found in the Pneumocystis cell wall and the immune events that occur following their recognition.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗