Impaired functions of macrophage from cystic fibrosis patients: CD11b, TLR-5 decrease and sCD14, inflammatory
Karin Simonin-Le Jeune1, André Le Jeune, Stéphane Jouneau
1Université de Rennes 1, Structure Fédérative de Recherche Biosit, F-35043 Rennes, France ; Institut de Recherche Santé Environnement & Travail (IRSET), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1085, team 'Stress Membrane and Signaling', F-35043 Rennes, France.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) macrophages exhibit excessive inflammation, overproducing cytokines and showing impaired pathogen clearance due to CFTR defects. This dysfunction contributes to chronic infection and inflammation in CF patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients experience early microbial infections, with macrophages potentially playing a key role in disease initiation.
- Macrophage dysfunction, possibly linked to CFTR mutations, may precede chronic inflammation and infection in CF.
- Existing research often overlooks the role of macrophages, focusing more on neutrophils and epithelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate intrinsic macrophage defects in CF patients related to impaired Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) function.
- To compare inflammatory cytokine secretion, pathogen recognition, and phagocytosis in macrophages from CF patients versus healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Studied peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages from stable adult CF patients and non-CF healthy subjects.
- Assessed inflammatory cytokine levels (sCD14, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10) in macrophage supernatants.
- Measured cell surface marker expression (CD11b, TLR-5, mCD14, CD16, CD64, TLR-4, TLR1/TLR-2) and phagocytic activity.
Main Results:
- CF macrophages showed significantly elevated levels of sCD14 and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10).
- Decreased expression of CD11b and TLR-5 was observed on CF macrophages, while other markers remained unchanged.
- CF macrophages exhibited impaired phagocytosis, a defect also replicated by inhibiting CFTR in non-CF macrophages.
Conclusions:
- CF macrophages display excessive inflammation, characterized by cytokine overproduction and reduced CD11b/TLR-5 expression.
- Impaired phagocytosis and pathogen clearance by CF macrophages contribute to non-resolution of infection and exaggerated inflammation.
- These findings highlight macrophage dysfunction as a critical factor in the inflammatory cycle of cystic fibrosis.
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