Inhibiting Mer receptor tyrosine kinase suppresses STAT1, SOCS1/3, and NF-κB activation and enhances inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

J Leukoc Biol. 2012 Jun;91(6):921-32. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0611289. Epub 2012 Mar 16.

Abstract

Mer signaling participates in a novel inhibitory pathway in TLR activation. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of Mer signaling in the down-regulation of TLR4 activation-driven immune responses in mice, i.t.-treated with LPS, using the specific Mer-blocking antibody. At 4 h and 24 h after LPS treatment, expression of Mer protein in alveolar macrophages and lung tissue decreased, sMer in BALF increased significantly, and Mer activation increased. Pretreatment with anti-Mer antibody did not influence the protein levels of Mer and sMer levels. Anti-Mer antibody significantly reduced LPS-induced Mer activation, phosphorylation of Akt and FAK, STAT1 activation, and expression of SOCS1 and -3. Anti-Mer antibody enhanced LPS-induced inflammatory responses, including activation of the NF-κB pathway; the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MIP-2 and MMP-9 activity; and accumulation of inflammatory cells and the total protein levels in BALF. These results indicate that Mer plays as an intrinsic feedback inhibitor of the TLR4- and inflammatory mediator-driven immune responses during acute lung injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury / chemically induced*
  • Acute Lung Injury / genetics
  • Acute Lung Injury / immunology
  • Animals
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Activation / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / immunology*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / pathology
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / immunology*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / genetics
  • Phosphorylation / immunology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / immunology*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / immunology*
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / immunology*
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / genetics
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / immunology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / agonists
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / immunology
  • c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Socs1 protein, mouse
  • Socs3 protein, mouse
  • Stat1 protein, mouse
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Mertk protein, mouse
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Mmp9 protein, mouse