The ion channel CALHM6 controls bacterial infection-induced cellular cross-talk at the immunological synapse
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ABSTRACT: Membrane ion channels of the calcium homeostasis modulator (CALHM) family promote cell-cell crosstalk at neuronal synapses via ATP release, where ATP acts as a neurotransmitter. CALHM6, the only CALHM highly expressed in immune cells, has been linked to induction of natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumour activity. However, its mechanism of action and broader functions in the immune system remain unclear. Here, we generated Calhm6-/- mice and report that CALHM6 is important for regulation of the early innate control of Listeria monocytogenes infection in vivo. We find that CALHM6 is upregulated in macrophages by pathogen-derived signals, and that it relocates from the intracellular compartment to the macrophage-NK cell synapse, facilitating ATP release and controlling the kinetics of NK cell activation. Anti-inflammatory cytokines terminate CALHM6 expression. CALHM6 forms an ion channel when expressed in the plasma membrane of Xenopus oocytes, where channel opening is controlled by a conserved acidic residue, E119. In mammalian cells, CALHM6 is localized to intracellular compartments. Our results contribute to understanding of neurotransmitter-like signal exchange between immune cells that fine-tunes the timing of innate immune responses.
SUBMITTER: Dr. Sara Danielli
PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_15252-EMBJ_2022111450 | biostudies-other |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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