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IgA1 protease from Neisseria gonorrhoeae inhibits TNFα‐mediated apoptosis of human monocytic cells
Author(s) -
Beck Susanne C.,
Meyer Thomas F.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)01478-2
Subject(s) - apoptosis , serine protease , protease , tumor necrosis factor alpha , secretion , neisseria , biology , u937 cell , cell culture , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , immunology , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics
The modulation of programmed cell death is a common theme in the patho‐physiology of inflammation and infectious disease. The synthesis and secretion of an IgA1 protease is strictly associated with virulence of the Neisseria species. Here, we report on the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)‐mediated apoptosis of the human myelo‐monocytic cell line U937 by highly purified IgA1 protease. Apoptosis was verified by the cell surface exposure of phosphatidyl serine and by terminal transferase mediated end‐labeling of fragmented DNA. Interestingly, IgA1 protease specifically cleaved the TNF receptor II (TNF‐RII) on the surface of intact cells whereas TNF‐RI was not affected by the enzyme. Therefore, inhibition of TNFα‐mediated apoptosis might be correlated to specific cleavage of the TNF‐RII by neisserial IgA1 protease.