Induction of inflammatory and immune responses by HMGB1-nucleosome complexes: implications for the pathogenesis of SLE.
Autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and nucleosomes represent a hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the mechanisms involved in breaking the immunological tolerance against these poorly immunogenic nuclear components are not fully understood. Impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic cells with consecutive release of nuclear antigens may contribute to the immune pathogenesis. The architectural chromosomal protein and proinflammatory mediator high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is tightly attached to the chromatin of apoptotic cells. We demonstrate that HMGB1 remains bound to nucleosomes released from late apoptotic cells in vitro. HMGB1-nucleosome complexes were also detected in plasma from SLE patients. HMGB1-containing nucleosomes from apoptotic cells induced secretion of interleukin (IL) 1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and expression of costimulatory molecules in macrophages and dendritic cells (DC), respectively. Neither HMGB1-free nucleosomes from viable cells nor nucleosomes from apoptotic cells lacking HMGB1 induced cytokine production or DC activation. HMGB1-containing nucleosomes from apoptotic cells induced anti-dsDNA and antihistone IgG responses in a Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-dependent manner, whereas nucleosomes from living cells did not. In conclusion, HMGB1-nucleosome complexes activate antigen presenting cells and, thereby, may crucially contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE via breaking the immunological tolerance against nucleosomes/dsDNA.
Urbonaviciute
Vilma
V
Interdisciplinary Center of Clinical Research (IZKF), Research Group N2, Nikolaus Fiebiger Center of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Fürnrohr
Barbara G
BG
Meister
Silke
S
Munoz
Luis
L
Heyder
Petra
P
De Marchis
Francesco
F
Bianchi
Marco E
ME
Kirschning
Carsten
C
Wagner
Hermann
H
Manfredi
Angelo A
AA
Kalden
Joachim R
JR
Schett
Georg
G
Rovere-Querini
Patrizia
P
Herrmann
Martin
M
Voll
Reinhard E
RE
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D055633:Immune System Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000276:immunology*; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000276:immunology; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000276:immunology; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D024243:HMGB1 Protein; C507780:Myd88 protein, mouse; D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; D009707:Nucleosomes; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9