Differential function of the NACHT-LRR (NLR) members Nod1 and Nod2 in arthritis.
The pathogenesis of chronic joint inflammation remains unclear, although the involvement of pathogen recognition receptors has been suggested recently. In the present article, we describe the role of two members of the NACHT-LRR (NLR) family, Nod1 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain) and Nod2 in a model of acute joint inflammation induced by intraarticular injection of Streptococcus pyogenes cell wall fragments. Here, we show that Nod2 deficiency resulted in reduced joint inflammation and protection against early cartilage damage. In contrast, Nod1 gene-deficient mice developed enhanced joint inflammation with concomitant elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and cartilage damage, consistent with a model in which Nod1 controls the inflammatory reaction. To explore whether the different function of Nod1 and Nod2 occurs also in humans, we exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) carrying either Nod1ins/del or Nod2fs mutation with SCW fragments in vitro. Production of both TNFalpha and IL-1beta was clearly impaired in PBMCs carrying the Nod2fs compared with PBMCs isolated from healthy controls. In line with results in Nod1 gene-deficient mice, PBMCs from individuals bearing a newly described Nod1 mutation produced enhanced levels of proinflammatory cytokines after 24-h stimulation with SCW fragments. These data indicate that the NLR family members Nod1 and Nod2 have different functions in controlling inflammation, and that intracellular Nod1-Nod2 interactions may determine the severity of arthritis in this experimental model. Whether a distorted balance between the function of Nod1 and/or Nod2 is involved in the pathogenesis of human autoinflammatory or autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, remains to be elucidated.
Rheumatology Research and Advanced Therapeutics, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. l.joosten@aig.umcn.nl
Leo A B
LA
Joosten
Bas
B
Heinhuis
Shahla
S
Abdollahi-Roodsaz
Gerben
G
Ferwerda
Lionel
L
Lebourhis
Dana J
DJ
Philpott
Marie-Anne
MA
Nahori
Calin
C
Popa
Servaas A
SA
Morre
Jos W M
JW
van der Meer
Stephen E
SE
Girardin
Mihai G
MG
Netea
Wim B
WB
van den Berg
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002460:Cell Line; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013291:Streptococcus; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha