Integrin CD11b negatively regulates TLR-triggered inflammatory responses by activating Syk and promoting degradation of MyD88 and TRIF via Cbl-b.

Integrins are critical for the migration and function of leukocytes in inflammation. However, the interaction between integrin alpha(M) (CD11b), which has high expression in monocytes and macrophages, and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-triggered innate immunity remains unclear. Here we report that CD11b deficiency enhanced TLR-mediated responses in macrophages, rendering mice more susceptible to endotoxin shock and Escherichia coli-caused sepsis. CD11b was activated by TLR-triggered phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) and the effector RapL and fed back to inhibit TLR signaling by activating the tyrosine kinases Src and Syk. Syk interacted with and induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MyD88 and TRIF, which led to degradation of these adaptor molecules by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b. Thus, TLR-triggered, active CD11b integrin engages in crosstalk with the MyD88 and TRIF pathways and subsequently inhibits TLR signaling in innate immune responses.