title: Activation by prion peptide PrP106-126 induces a NF-kappaB-driven proinflammatory response in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
abstract: Specific prion peptides have been shown to mimic the pathologic isoform of the prion protein (PrP) and to induce a neurotoxic effect in vitro and in vivo. As monocytic cells are thought to play a role in the transmission and pathogenesis of prion disease, the use of these peptides in regulating monocytic cell function is under intense investigation. In the current study, we characterize the ability of prion peptide PrP(106-126) to activate specific signaling pathways in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays establish the activation of transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB within 15 min of exposure, with as little as 25 micro M peptide. This signaling cascade results in the up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) at the mRNA and protein levels. Phenotypic activation of DCs exposed to PrP(106-126) is partly a result of an autocrine TNF-alpha response and results in an increased ability of these cells to induce lymphocyte proliferation. The effects of PrP(106-126) on DCs were elicited through a receptor complex distinct from that used by human monocytes, demonstrating the ability of this peptide to interact with a multiplicity of receptors on various cell types. Together, these data suggest an involvement of DCs in prion disease pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Monoclonal Antibodies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Silvia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bacot
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Frazier-Jessen
authors.forename: Gerald M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011328:Prions / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011328:Prions; C082632:prion protein (106-126); D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine