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The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is inherent to immune responses. ROS are crucially involved in host defense against pathogens by promoting bacterial killing, but also as signaling agents coordinating the production of cytokines. Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a Ca²⁺-permeable channel gated via binding of ADP-ribose, a metabolite formed under conditions of cellular exposure to ROS. Here, we show that TRPM2-deficient mice are extremely susceptible to infection with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), exhibiting an inefficient innate immune response. In a comparison with IFNγR-deficient mice, TRPM2⁻/⁻ mice shared similar features of uncontrolled bacterial replication and reduced levels of inducible (i)NOS-expressing monocytes, but had intact IFNγ responsiveness. In contrast, we found that levels of cytokines IL-12 and IFNγ were diminished in TRPM2⁻/⁻ mice following Lm infection, which correlated with their reduced innate activation. Moreover, TRPM2⁻/⁻ mice displayed a higher degree of susceptibility than IL-12-unresponsive mice, and supplementation with recombinant IFNγ was sufficient to reverse the unrestrained bacterial growth and ultimately the lethal phenotype of Lm-infected TRPM2⁻/⁻ mice. The severity of listeriosis we observed in TRPM2⁻/⁻ mice has not been reported for any other ion channel. These findings establish an unsuspected role for ADP-ribose and ROS-mediated cation flux for innate immunity, opening up unique possibilities for immunomodulatory intervention through TRPM2.

Defective clearance of apoptotic cells can result in sustained inflammation and subsequent autoimmunity. Macrophages, the \"professional phagocyte\" of the body, are responsible for efficient, non-phlogistic, apoptotic cell clearance. Controlling phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages is an attractive therapeutic opportunity to ameliorate inflammation. Using high content imaging, we have developed a system for evaluating the effects of antibody treatment on apoptotic cell uptake in primary human macrophages by comparing the Phagocytic Index (PI) for each antibody. Herein we demonstrate the feasibility of evaluating a panel of antibodies of unknown specificities obtained by immunization of mice with primary human macrophages and show that they can be distinguished based on individual PI measurements. In this study ~50% of antibodies obtained enhance phagocytosis of apoptotic cells while approximately 5% of the antibodies in the panel exhibit some inhibition. Though the specificities of the majority of antibodies are unknown, two of the antibodies that improved apoptotic cell uptake recognize recombinant MerTK; a receptor known to function in this capacity in vivo. The agonistic impact of these antibodies on efferocytosis could be demonstrated without addition of either of the MerTK ligands, Gas6 or ProS. These results validate applying the mechanism of this fundamental biological process as a means for identification of modulators that could potentially serve as therapeutics. This strategy for interrogating macrophages to discover molecules regulating apoptotic cell uptake is not limited by access to purified protein thereby increasing the possibility of finding novel apoptotic cell uptake pathways.

Doc number: P2

Defective clearance of apoptotic cells can result in sustained inflammation and subsequent autoimmunity. Macrophages, the \"professional phagocyte\" of the body, are responsible for efficient, non-phlogistic, apoptotic cell clearance. Controlling phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages is an attractive therapeutic opportunity to ameliorate inflammation. Using high content imaging, we have developed a system for evaluating the effects of antibody treatment on apoptotic cell uptake in primary human macrophages by comparing the Phagocytic Index (PI) for each antibody. Herein we demonstrate the feasibility of evaluating a panel of antibodies of unknown specificities obtained by immunization of mice with primary human macrophages and show that they can be distinguished based on individual PI measurements. In this study ~50% of antibodies obtained enhance phagocytosis of apoptotic cells while approximately 5% of the antibodies in the panel exhibit some inhibition. Though the specificities of the majority of antibodies are unknown, two of the antibodies that improved apoptotic cell uptake recognize recombinant MerTK; a receptor known to function in this capacity in vivo. The agonistic impact of these antibodies on efferocytosis could be demonstrated without addition of either of the MerTK ligands, Gas6 or ProS. These results validate applying the mechanism of this fundamental biological process as a means for identification of modulators that could potentially serve as therapeutics. This strategy for interrogating macrophages to discover molecules regulating apoptotic cell uptake is not limited by access to purified protein thereby increasing the possibility of finding novel apoptotic cell uptake pathways.

In Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), apoptosis occurs at high frequency alongside uncontrolled proliferation. Macrophages infiltrate these tumours in large numbers and engage in the phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells in situ. Here we tested the hypothesis that apoptosis of BL cells may provide a mechanism for recruitment of macrophages to these tumours. We show that monocytes and macrophages, but not neutrophils, preferentially migrated to apoptotic BL cells in vitro. Transfection of BL cells with the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 both prevented apoptosis and abolished macrophage chemotaxis. Macrophage migration to BL populations correlated well with the number of apoptotic BL cells present (the Pearson correlation r=0.81, p<0.0001). Chemoattraction of murine macrophages to apoptotic human BL cells demonstrated that the mechanism was conserved across these species. In an attempt to identify the macrophage receptors involved in this process, we investigated whether CD14 and CD36, two receptors important in the phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells, were also involved in the chemotactic macrophage response. We found that bone marrow-derived macrophages from CD14 −/− and CD36 −/− mice moved as well as wild-type macrophages in chemotaxis assays towards apoptotic BL cells. Migrating macrophages were found to be up-regulated in their expression of CD14, however, suggesting that, although this receptor does not appear to be required for ‘sensing’ apoptotic cells, it may be up-regulated on the surface of the migrating macrophage in readiness for apoptotic corpse clearance.

Removal of apoptotic cells is essential for maintenance of tissue homeostasis, organogenesis, remodeling, development and preservation of the immune system, protection against neoplasia and resolution of inflammation. The mechanisms of this removal involve recognition of the apoptotic cell surface and initiation of phagocytic uptake into a variety of cell types. In this thesis I provide evidence that C1q and members of the collectin family of proteins, including MBL, SP-A and SP-D, bind to apoptotic cells and stimulate ingestion of these by ligation on the phagocyte surface of the multifunctional protein, calreticulin, which in turn is bound to the endocytic receptor protein CD91, also known as the α-2-macroglobulin receptor. Participation of these proteins provides an example of apoptotic cell clearance mediated by pattern recognition molecules of the innate immune system. Ingestion of the apoptotic cells through calreticulin/CD91 stimulation is further shown to involve the process of macropinocytosis, implicated as a primitive and relatively non-selective uptake mechanism for collectin-enhanced engulfment of whole, intact apoptotic cells, as well as cell debris and foreign organisms to which these molecules may bind.* *Please refer to dissertation for diagram.