MyD88-independent activation of a novel actin-Cdc42/Rac pathway is required for Toll-like receptor-stimulated phagocytosis

Cell Res. 2008 Jul;18(7):745-55. doi: 10.1038/cr.2008.65.

Abstract

Phagocytosis and subsequent degradation of pathogens by macrophages play a pivotal role in host innate immune responses to microbial infection. Recent studies have shown that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in promoting the clearance of bacteria by up-regulating the phagocytic activity of macrophages. However, information regarding the signaling mechanism of TLR-mediated phagocytosis is still limited. Here, we provide evidence that the stimulation of TLR4 with LPS leads to activation of multiple signaling pathways including MAP kinases, phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and small GTPases in the murine macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7. Specific inhibition of Cdc42/Rac or p38 MAP kinase, but not PI3K, reduced TLR4-induced phagocytosis of bacteria. Moreover, we have found that either inhibition of actin polymerization by cytochalasin D or the knockdown of actin by RNAi markedly reduced the activation of Cdc42 and Rac by LPS. TLR4-induced activation of Cdc42 and Rac appears to be independent of MyD88. Taken together, our results described a novel actin-Cdc42/Rac pathway through which TLRs can specifically provoke phagocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Escherichia coli / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • Phagocytosis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / immunology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein