SOCS3 promotes TLR4 response in macrophages by feedback inhibiting TGF-beta1/Smad3 signaling

Mol Immunol. 2008 Mar;45(5):1405-13. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2007.08.018. Epub 2007 Oct 24.

Abstract

Endogenous transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role in the negative regulation of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in a feedback manner. Suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) has been shown to be induced by TGF-beta1 in osteoclast/macrophage, while the reports on the role of SOCS3 in regulating TLR4 signaling were controversial. The functional relationship between SOCS3 and TGF-beta1/Smad3 pathway in TLR4 response also remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that LPS-induced endogenous TGF-beta1 contributes to the inducible SOCS3 expression in macrophages. SOCS3 silencing could markedly decrease the LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in macrophages. Interestingly, less decrease of LPS-induced TNF-alpha, IL-6 by SOCS3 silencing was observed in Smad3 null macrophages. Furthermore, we found SOCS3 could interact with Smad3, and inhibit Smad3 nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. Therefore, our data demonstrate that SOCS3 is a positive regulator of TLR4 response by feedback inhibiting endogenous TGF-beta1/Smad3 signaling, thus outlining a new feedback regulatory manner for TLR4 response in macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Feedback, Physiological*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Smad3 Protein / metabolism*
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / genetics
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / physiology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / immunology*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • SOCS3 protein, human
  • Smad3 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1