RESUMO
Autoimmune-polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE). Patients with AIRE mutations are susceptible to Candida albicans infection and present with autoimmune disorders. We previously demonstrated that cytoplasmic AIRE regulates the Syk-dependent Dectin-1 pathway. In this study, we further evaluated direct contact with fungal elements, synapse formation, and the response of macrophage-like THP-1 cells to C. albicans hyphae to determine the role of AIRE upon Dectin receptors function and signaling. We examined the fungal synapse (FS) formation in wild-type and AIRE-knockdown THP-1 cells differentiated to macrophages, as well as monocyte-derived macrophages from APECED patients. We evaluated Dectin-2 receptor signaling, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion upon hyphal stimulation. AIRE co-localized with Dectin-2 and Syk at the FS upon hyphal stimulation of macrophage-like THP-1 cells. AIRE-knockdown macrophage-like THP-1 cells exhibited less Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 receptors accumulation, decreased signaling pathway activity at the FS, lower C. albicans phagocytosis, and less lysosome formation. Furthermore, IL-1ß, IL-6, or TNF-α secretion by AIRE-knockdown macrophage-like THP-1 cells and AIRE-deficient patient macrophages was decreased compared to control cells. Our results suggest that AIRE modulates the FS formation and hyphal recognition and help to orchestrate an effective immune response against C. albicans.
Assuntos
Candida albicans/imunologia , Hifas/imunologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Fatores de Transcrição/imunologia , Candida albicans/fisiologia , Candidíase/genética , Candidíase/imunologia , Candidíase/microbiologia , Citocinas/imunologia , Citocinas/metabolismo , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Hifas/fisiologia , Lectinas Tipo C/genética , Lectinas Tipo C/imunologia , Lectinas Tipo C/metabolismo , Macrófagos/microbiologia , Mutação , Fagocitose/genética , Fagocitose/imunologia , Poliendocrinopatias Autoimunes/genética , Poliendocrinopatias Autoimunes/imunologia , Poliendocrinopatias Autoimunes/microbiologia , Interferência de RNA , Células THP-1 , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismo , Proteína AIRERESUMO
BACKGROUND: Several primary immune deficiency disorders are associated with autoimmunity and malignancy, suggesting a state of immune dysregulation. The concept of immune dysregulation as a direct cause of autoimmunity in primary immune deficiency disorders (PIDDs) has been strengthened by the recent discovery of distinct clinical entities linked to single-gene defects resulting in multiple autoimmune phenomena including immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy and X-linked (IPEX) syndrome, and autoimmune polyendocrinopathy, candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) syndrome. CONCLUSION: Reviewing recent advances in our understanding of the small subgroup of PIDD patients with defined causes for autoimmunity may lead to the development of more effective treatment strategies for idiopathic human autoimmune diseases.