Gene expression in dendritic cells stimulated with LPS in conditions allowing or inhibiting NFAT activation

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is one of the molecules produced by mouse dendritic cells (DCs) after stimulation by Toll like receptor (TLR) agonists. By analogy with the events following T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement leading to IL-2 production we have observed that DC stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces Src-family kinase and phospholipase C (PLC)2 activation, influx of extracellular Ca2+ and calcineurin-dependent nuclear NFAT translocation. We have also observed that the initiation of this pathway is independent of TLR4 engagement, and dependent exclusively on CD14. To determine the role of NFAT in LPS activated dendritic cells we have performed microarray analysis in conditions allowing or inhibiting NFAT activation. We show here that LPS-induced NFAT activation via CD14 is necessary to cause death of terminally differentiated DCs, an event that is essential for maintaining self-tolerance and preventing autoimmunity. Consequently, blocking this pathway in vivo causes prolonged DC survival and an increase in T cell priming capability.

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Zanoni I, Ostuni R, Capuano G, Collini M, Caccia M, Ronchi AE, Rocchetti M, Mingozzi F, Foti M, Chirico G, Costa B, Zaza A, Ricciardi-Castagnoli P, Granucci F