Cis Association of Galectin-9 with Tim-3 Differentially Regulates IL-12/IL-23 Expressions in Monocytes via TLR Signaling
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-14-2013
Description
Human monocytes/macrophages (M/MΦ) of the innate immunity sense and respond to microbial products via specific receptor coupling with stimulatory (such as TLR) and inhibitory (such as Tim-3) receptors. Current models imply that Tim-3 expression on M/MØ can deliver negative signaling to TLR-mediated IL-12 expression through trans association with its ligand Galectin-9 (Gal-9) presented by other cells. However, Gal-9 is also expressed within M/MØ, and the effect of intracellular Gal-9 on Tim-3 activities and inflammatory responses in the same M/MØ remains unknown. In this study, our data suggest that Tim-3 and IL-12/IL-23 gene transcriptions are regulated by enhanced or silenced Gal-9 expression within monocytes through synergizing with TLR signaling. Additionally, TLR activation facilitates Gal-9/Tim-3 cis association within the same M/MØ to differentially regulate IL-12/IL-23 expressions through STAT-3 phosphorylation. These results reveal a ligand (Gal-9) compartment-dependent regulatory effect on receptor (Tim-3) activities and inflammatory responses via TLR pathways-a novel mechanism underlying cellular responses to external or internal cues.
Citation Information
Ma, Cheng J.; Li, Guang Y.; Cheng, Yong Q.; Wang, Jia M.; Ying, Ruo S.; Shi, Lei; Wu, Xiao Y.; Niki, Toshiro; Hirashima, Mitsumi; Li, Chuan F.; Moorman, Jonathan P.; and Yao, Zhi Q.. 2013. Cis Association of Galectin-9 with Tim-3 Differentially Regulates IL-12/IL-23 Expressions in Monocytes via TLR Signaling. PLoS ONE. Vol.8(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072488 PMID: 23967307