Identification of a macrophage-specific chromatin signature in the IL-10 locus

J Immunol. 2005 Jul 15;175(2):1041-6. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.2.1041.

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms that regulate expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 remain poorly understood. In this study, by measuring sensitivity to DNase I digestion, we show that production of IL-10 by primary mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated through pattern recognition receptors was associated with chromatin remodeling of the IL-10 locus. We also demonstrate that the IL-10 locus is remodeled in primary Th2 cells and IL-10-producing regulatory T cells that have been differentiated in vitro. Strikingly, a novel DNase I-hypersensitive site (HSS-4.5) was identified in stimulated macrophages, but not in T cells. We show that hyperacetylated histones were recruited to this site in stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, HSS-4.5 is highly conserved and contains a putative NF-kappaB binding site. In support of a function for this site, NF-kappaB p65/RelA was recruited to HSS-4.5 in vivo and its activation was required for optimal IL-10 gene expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Marrow Cells / enzymology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Chromatin / genetics
  • Chromatin / immunology*
  • Chromatin / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / enzymology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / genetics
  • Deoxyribonuclease I / metabolism
  • Genetic Markers / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophage Activation / genetics
  • Macrophage Activation / immunology
  • Macrophages / enzymology
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NF-kappa B / biosynthesis
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • Protein Transport / immunology
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / immunology
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor RelA

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Genetic Markers
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Interleukin-10
  • Deoxyribonuclease I