The production of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor by dendritic cells

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is produced at mucosal sites where it plays an important role in the homeostatic control of local inflammation. In addition to its anti-protease activity SLPI is able to reduce LPS activity by interfering with the transfer of LPS to CD14. In addition SLPI can be taken up by cells where it can prevent signaling via the NF-κB route. It is preferentially expressed in dendritic cells from mucosal sites, suggesting a role in the maintenance of a tolerogenic environment, but it is unclear how this differential expression is regulated. Here we analyzed the regulation of SLPI expression in dendritic cells and found that activation by TLR ligands but not via antiCD40 leads to its expression, which is predominantly dependent on p38 activation. This induced expression is late compared to the induction of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules, is not dependent on factors that are secreted by the cell itself and may be related to cellular feedback mechanisms involved in inflammation and immunity. In correlation with the differential expression by TLR ligands and antiCD40, SLPI deficient mice show enhanced specific immunity when antigen is co-injected with LPS, but not with antiCD40. The results underscore the importance of SLPI as a modulator of specific immunity that can also function at peripheral sites under pathogenic pressure.