Dan-Ning Hu1,2, Ruihua Zhang2, Shen Yao3, Codrin E Iacob4,5, Wei-En Yang6, Richard Rosen2,7, Shun-Fa Yang6,8. 1. Tissue Culture Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, USA. 2. Departments of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA. 3. Departments of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA. 4. Departments of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA. 5. Department of Pathology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, USA. 6. Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. 7. Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmay of Mount Sinai, New York, USA. 8. Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract
Purpose: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and increase the expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2, the potent neutrophils chemoattractants, in various cell types. These effects have not been previously reported in the uveal melanocytes. This study was designed to investigate the effects of LPS on the activation of TLR4 and expression of CXCL1/CXCL2 in cultured human uveal melanocytes and the relevant signal pathways. Methods: Effects of LPS on the expression of TLR4 were tested using real-time PCR, flow cytometry and fluorescence immunostaining. Effects of LPS-induced expression/secretion of CXCL1/CXCL2 were studied using real-time PCR in cell lysates and ELISA in conditioned media of cultured uveal melanocytes. Activated NF-κB and phosphorylated MAPK signals were tested in cells with and without LPS treatment using flow cytometry. Effects of various signal inhibitors on p38, ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and NF-κB on the secretion of CXCL1/CXCL2 were tested by ELISA. The effects of neutralized antibodies of CXCL1/CXCL2 on the severity of LPS-induced uveitis were tested in a mouse model. Results: LPS stimulation increased the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein in culture uveal melanocytes. Constitutive secretion of CXCL1/CXCL2 was detected in uveal melanocytes and was significantly increased dose- and time-dependently by LPS stimulation. LPS mainly increased the activated NF-κB and phosphorylated JNK1/2. LPS-induced expression of CXCL1/CXCL2 was blocked by NF-κB and JNK1/2 inhibitors. The severity of LPS-induced uveitis was significantly inhibited by neutralizing antibody to CXCL1/CXCL2Conclusions: This is the first report on the LPS-induced expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2 by uveal melanocytes via the activation of TLR4. These results suggest that uveal melanocytes may play a role in the immune reaction that eliminates the invading pathogens. Conversely, an excessive LPS-induced inflammatory reaction may also lead to the development of inflammatory ocular disorders, such as non-infectious uveitis.
Purpose: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and increase the expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2, the potent neutrophils chemoattractants, in various cell types. These effects have not been previously reported in the uveal melanocytes. This study was designed to investigate the effects of LPS on the activation of TLR4 and expression of CXCL1/CXCL2 in cultured human uveal melanocytes and the relevant signal pathways. Methods: Effects of LPS on the expression of TLR4 were tested using real-time PCR, flow cytometry and fluorescence immunostaining. Effects of LPS-induced expression/secretion of CXCL1/CXCL2 were studied using real-time PCR in cell lysates and ELISA in conditioned media of cultured uveal melanocytes. Activated NF-κB and phosphorylated MAPK signals were tested in cells with and without LPS treatment using flow cytometry. Effects of various signal inhibitors on p38, ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and NF-κB on the secretion of CXCL1/CXCL2 were tested by ELISA. The effects of neutralized antibodies of CXCL1/CXCL2 on the severity of LPS-induced uveitis were tested in a mouse model. Results: LPS stimulation increased the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein in culture uveal melanocytes. Constitutive secretion of CXCL1/CXCL2 was detected in uveal melanocytes and was significantly increased dose- and time-dependently by LPS stimulation. LPS mainly increased the activated NF-κB and phosphorylated JNK1/2. LPS-induced expression of CXCL1/CXCL2 was blocked by NF-κB and JNK1/2 inhibitors. The severity of LPS-induced uveitis was significantly inhibited by neutralizing antibody to CXCL1/CXCL2Conclusions: This is the first report on the LPS-induced expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2 by uveal melanocytes via the activation of TLR4. These results suggest that uveal melanocytes may play a role in the immune reaction that eliminates the invading pathogens. Conversely, an excessive LPS-induced inflammatory reaction may also lead to the development of inflammatory ocular disorders, such as non-infectious uveitis.