TGF-β regulates T-cell neurokinin-1 receptor internalization and function

M Beinborn, A Blum, L Hang… - Proceedings of the …, 2010 - National Acad Sciences
M Beinborn, A Blum, L Hang, T Setiawan, JC Schroeder, K Stoyanoff, J Leung, JV Weinstock
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010National Acad Sciences
Substance P (SP) is a proinflammatory mediator implicated in inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD) and other inflammatory states. SP acts by stimulating the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-
1R) on T lymphocytes and other cell types, and regulates these cells in a complex interplay
with multiple cytokines. The mechanisms of interaction among these inflammatory mediators
are not yet fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that function of the NK-1R, a member of
the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, is modulated by TGF-β. The latter acts …
Substance P (SP) is a proinflammatory mediator implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other inflammatory states. SP acts by stimulating the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) on T lymphocytes and other cell types, and regulates these cells in a complex interplay with multiple cytokines. The mechanisms of interaction among these inflammatory mediators are not yet fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that function of the NK-1R, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, is modulated by TGF-β. The latter acts not on a GPCR but via serine-threonine kinase-class receptors. By flow confocal image analysis, we demonstrate that TGF-β delays SP-induced NK-1R internalization on mucosal T cells isolated from a mouse model of IBD and on granuloma T cells in murine schistosomiasis. Furthermore, luciferase reporter-gene assays revealed that NK-1R stimulation activates the nuclear factor of activated T cell- and activator protein-1-dependent signaling pathways, which are known triggers of effector T-cell cytokine production. TGF-β markedly increases SP-induced activation of these signaling cascades, suggesting that delayed NK-1R internalization results in enhanced signaling. Providing a link to amplified immune function, SP and TGF-β, when applied in combination, trigger a strong release of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL17 from intestinal inflammatory T cells, whereas either agonist alone shows no effect. These observations establish precedent that members of two distinct receptor superfamilies can interact via a previously unrecognized mechanism, and reveal a paradigm of GPCR transregulation that is relevant to IBD and possibly other disease processes.
National Acad Sciences