Dataset Information

Targeting CD40-Induced TRAF6 Signaling in Macrophages Reduces Atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Disrupting the costimulatory CD40-CD40L dyad reduces atherosclerosis, but can result in immune suppression. The authors recently identified small molecule inhibitors that block the interaction between CD40 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6 (TRAF-STOPs), while leaving CD40-TRAF2/3/5 interactions intact, thereby preserving CD40-mediated immunity.

Objectives

This study evaluates the potential of TRAF-STOP treatment in atherosclerosis.

Methods

The effects of TRAF-STOPs on atherosclerosis were investigated in apolipoprotein E deficient (Apoe^-/-) mice. Recombinant high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) nanoparticles were used to target TRAF-STOPs to macrophages.

Results

TRAF-STOP treatment of young Apoe^-/- mice reduced atherosclerosis by reducing CD40 and integrin expression in classical monocytes, thereby hampering monocyte recruitment. When Apoe^-/- mice with established atherosclerosis were treated with TRAF-STOPs, plaque progression was halted, and plaques contained an increase in collagen, developed small necrotic cores, and contained only a few immune cells. TRAF-STOP treatment did not impair "classical" immune pathways of CD40, including T-cell proliferation and costimulation, Ig isotype switching, or germinal center formation, but reduced CD40 and ?2-integrin expression in inflammatory monocytes. In vitro testing and transcriptional profiling showed that TRAF-STOPs are effective in reducing macrophage migration and activation, which could be attributed to reduced phosphorylation of signaling intermediates of the canonical NF-?B pathway. To target TRAF-STOPs specifically to macrophages, TRAF-STOP 6877002 was incorporated into rHDL nanoparticles. Six weeks of rHDL-6877002 treatment attenuated the initiation of atherosclerosis in Apoe^-/- mice.

Conclusions

TRAF-STOPs can overcome the current limitations of long-term CD40 inhibition in atherosclerosis and have the potential to become a future therapeutic for atherosclerosis.

SUBMITTER: Seijkens TTP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5800892 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Targeting CD40-Induced TRAF6 Signaling in Macrophages Reduces Atherosclerosis.

Seijkens Tom T P TTP van Tiel Claudia M CM Kusters Pascal J H PJH Atzler Dorothee D Soehnlein Oliver O Zarzycka Barbara B Aarts Suzanne A B M SABM Lameijer Marnix M Gijbels Marion J MJ Beckers Linda L den Toom Myrthe M Slütter Bram B Kuiper Johan J Duchene Johan J Aslani Maria M Megens Remco T A RTA van 't Veer Cornelis C Kooij Gijs G Schrijver Roy R Hoeksema Marten A MA Boon Louis L Fay Francois F Tang Jun J Baxter Samantha S Jongejan Aldo A Moerland Perry D PD Vriend Gert G Bleijlevens Boris B Fisher Edward A EA Duivenvoorden Raphael R Gerdes Norbert N de Winther Menno P J MPJ Nicolaes Gerry A GA Mulder Willem J M WJM Weber Christian C Lutgens Esther E

Journal of the American College of Cardiology 20180201 5

<h4>Background</h4>Disrupting the costimulatory CD40-CD40L dyad reduces atherosclerosis, but can result in immune suppression. The authors recently identified small molecule inhibitors that block the interaction between CD40 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6 (TRAF-STOPs), while leaving CD40-TRAF2/3/5 interactions intact, thereby preserving CD40-mediated immunity.<h4>Objectives</h4>This study evaluates the potential of TRAF-STOP treatment in atherosclerosis.<h4>Methods ...[more]

PMID: 29406859

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Project description:BackgroundThe influx of leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS) is a key hallmark of the chronic neuro-inflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Strategies that aim to inhibit leukocyte migration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are therefore regarded as promising therapeutic approaches to combat MS. As the CD40L-CD40 dyad signals via TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in myeloid cells to induce inflammation and leukocyte trafficking, we explored the hypothesis that specific inhibition of CD40-TRAF6 interactions can ameliorate neuro-inflammation.MethodsHuman monocytes were treated with a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) of CD40-TRAF6 interactions (6877002), and migration capacity across human brain endothelial cells was measured. To test the therapeutic potential of the CD40-TRAF6-blocking SMI under neuro-inflammatory conditions in vivo, Lewis rats and C57BL/6J mice were subjected to acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and treated with SMI 6877002 for 6 days (rats) or 3 weeks (mice).ResultsWe here show that a SMI of CD40-TRAF6 interactions (6877002) strongly and dose-dependently reduces trans-endothelial migration of human monocytes. Moreover, upon SMI treatment, monocytes displayed a decreased production of ROS, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL)-6, whereas the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased. Disease severity of EAE was reduced upon SMI treatment in rats, but not in mice. However, a significant reduction in monocyte-derived macrophages, but not in T cells, that had infiltrated the CNS was eminent in both models.ConclusionsTogether, our results indicate that SMI-mediated inhibition of the CD40-TRAF6 pathway skews human monocytes towards anti-inflammatory cells with reduced trans-endothelial migration capacity, and is able to reduce CNS-infiltrated monocyte-derived macrophages during neuro-inflammation, but minimally ameliorates EAE disease severity. We therefore conclude that SMI-mediated inhibition of the CD40-TRAF6 pathway may represent a beneficial treatment strategy to reduce monocyte recruitment and macrophage activation in the CNS and has the potential to be used as a co-treatment to combat MS.

Dataset Information

Targeting CD40-Induced TRAF6 Signaling in Macrophages Reduces Atherosclerosis.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Targeting CD40-Induced TRAF6 Signaling in Macrophages Reduces Atherosclerosis.

Similar Datasets

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