Loss of phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ decreases migration and activation of phagocytes but not T cell activation in antigen-induced arthritis

• Main Authors: Wetzker Reinhard, Gajda Mieczyslaw, König Christian, Rose Christina, Gruen Michael, Bräuer Rolf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-04-01
• Series: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/11/63

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) has been depicted as a major regulator of inflammatory processes, including leukocyte activation and migration towards several chemokines. This study aims to explore the role of PI3Kγ in the murine model of antigen-induced arthritis (AIA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Development of AIA was investigated in wildtype and PI3Kγ-deficient mice as well as in mice treated with a specific inhibitor of PI3Kγ (AS-605240) in comparison to untreated animals. Inflammatory reactions of leukocytes, including macrophage and T cell activation, and macrophage migration, were studied <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of PI3Kγ induced a marked decrease of clinical symptoms in early AIA, together with a considerably diminished macrophage migration and activation (lower production of NO, IL-1β, IL-6). Also, macrophage and neutrophil infiltration into the knee joint were impaired <it>in vivo</it>. However, T cell functions, measured by cytokine production (TNFα, IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-17) <it>in vitro </it>and DTH reaction <it>in vivo </it>were not altered, and accordingly, disease developed normally at later timepoints</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PI3Kγ specifically affects phagocyte function in the AIA model but has no impact on T cell activation.</p>