Regulation of TLR4-mediated signaling by IBP/Def6, a novel activator of Rho GTPases

J Leukoc Biol. 2009 Mar;85(3):539-43. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0308219. Epub 2008 Dec 12.

Abstract

TLRs play a fundamental role in innate immune responses. Although Rho GTPases have been implicated in TLR-mediated signaling pathways, the molecules that control their activation in response to TLR engagement are largely unknown. IFN regulatory factor-4-binding protein (IBP; which is encoded by the gene Def6) is a unique type of activator for Rac that plays a crucial role in TCR-mediated signaling and adaptive immune responses. Here, we demonstrate that IBP/Def6 also controls innate immune responses by modulating TLR-induced signaling events. Mice deficient in IBP/Def6 are protected from LPS-induced septic shock. This protection is associated with a decrease in the production of proinflammatory cytokines and is accompanied by diminished activation of MAPKs and NF-kappaB. Our results thus identify IBP/Def6 as a novel component of the TLR4-induced signaling cascade that controls the production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / immunology
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • SLAT protein, mouse
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins