Muramyl dipeptide induces Th17 polarization through activation of endothelial cells

Endothelial cells (ECs) express the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod) receptor 2, which recognizes the bacterial derivate muramyl dipeptide (MDP). MDP stimulation of these cells enhances their IL-6 production and may thus contribute to the immune and inflammatory activities in the skin. However, whether ECs are capable of influencing the development of T cell priming and its polarization remains unknown. We report that in vitro the murine bEnd.3 EC line induces, following MDP stimulation, a Th17 polarization at the expense of Th1 and Th2 polarization in the setting of Langerhans cell (LC) Ag presentation to responsive T cells as assessed by IL-17, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-4 production. Interestingly, IL-22 production, which has been associated with Th17 priming, was not influenced by MDP-treated bEnd.3 cells, illustrating differential regulation of this cytokine from IL-17. Additional analysis confirmed a significantly increased percentage of IL-17(+)CD4(+) T cells by flow cytometry and an increased mRNA level of the specific Th17 transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt in cocultures of LCs and responsive T cells in the presence of activated bEnd.3 cells. Experiments using the RNA interference technique to knockdown IL-6 in bEnd.3 cells confirmed that IL-6 produced by bEnd.3 cells stimulated by MDP is at least partially involved in Th17 polarization. Our data suggest that activated ECs are capable of influencing LC Ag processing and presentation to T cells and induce a Th17 polarization. These results are important for the understanding of Th17-related disorders of the skin such as psoriasis.