The Role of Intracellular Receptor NODs for Cytokine Production by Macrophages Infected with Mycobacterium leprae.
- Author:
Tae Jin KANG
1
;
Gue Tae CHAE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords: Mycobacterium leprae; Cytokine; Cytochalasin D; NOD
- MeSH: Cytochalasin D; Cytokines; Humans; Leprosy; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium leprae; NF-kappa B; Phagocytosis; Proteins; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- From:Immune Network 2011;11(6):424-427
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: The nucleotide-oligomerization domain (NOD) proteins are members of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, which are intracellular and cytoplasmic receptors. We analyzed the role of NODs for cytokine production by macrophages infected with intracellular pathogen M. leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha was inhibited in the presence of cytochalasin D, an agent blocking phagocytosis, suggesting that intracellular signaling was, partially, required for macrophage activation to M. leprae infection. Next, we investigated the role of NOD1 and NOD2 proteins on NF-kappaB activation and cytokine expression. Treatment with M. leprae significantly increased NF-kappaB activation and expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in NOD1- and NOD2-transfected cells. Interestingly, their activation and expression were inhibited by cytochalasin D, suggesting that stimulation of NOD proteins may be associated with the enhancement of cytokine production in host to M. leprae.
