Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19-kDa lipoprotein inhibits IFN-γ-induced chromatin remodeling of MHC2TA by TLR2 and MAPK signaling

ME Pennini, RK Pai, DC Schultz, WH Boom… - The Journal of …, 2006 - journals.aai.org
ME Pennini, RK Pai, DC Schultz, WH Boom, CV Harding
The Journal of Immunology, 2006journals.aai.org
During infection of macrophages, prolonged signaling by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)
or its 19-kDa lipoprotein (LpqH; Rv3763) inhibits IFN-γ-induced expression of several
immune function genes, including class II transactivator (CIITA), which regulates class II
MHC. Mtb does not inhibit early IFN-γ signaling events, eg, Stat1α activation. This study
analyzed downstream mechanisms that regulate the transcription of MHC2TA, the gene
encoding CIITA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that IFN-γ induced acetylation of …
Abstract
During infection of macrophages, prolonged signaling by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) or its 19-kDa lipoprotein (LpqH; Rv3763) inhibits IFN-γ-induced expression of several immune function genes, including class II transactivator (CIITA), which regulates class II MHC. Mtb does not inhibit early IFN-γ signaling events, eg, Stat1α activation. This study analyzed downstream mechanisms that regulate the transcription of MHC2TA, the gene encoding CIITA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that IFN-γ induced acetylation of histones H3 and H4 at the CIITA promoter IV (pIV). In contrast, IFN-γ-dependent histone acetylation at CIITA pIV was inhibited by Mtb or 19-kDa lipoprotein. Mtb 19-kDa lipoprotein also inhibited IFN-γ-dependent recruitment of Brahma-related gene 1, a chromatin remodeling protein, to CIITA pIV. Mtb 19-kDa lipoprotein did not inhibit histone acetylation in TLR2−/− macrophages. Furthermore, 19-kDa lipoprotein did not inhibit CIITA expression or IFN-γ-dependent histone acetylation of CIITA pIV in macrophages treated with inhibitors of MAPKs p38 or ERK. Thus, CIITA expression was inhibited by TLR2-induced MAPK signaling that caused histone hypoacetylation at CIITA pIV and suppression of CIITA transcription. Chromatin remodeling at MHC2TA is a novel target of inhibition by Mtb. These mechanisms may diminish class II MHC expression by infected macrophages, contributing to immune evasion by Mtb.
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