TcpC Inhibits M1 but Promotes M2 Macrophage Polarization via Regulation of the MAPK/NF-κB and Akt/STAT6 Pathways in Urinary Tract Infection.

TcpC is a multifunctional virulence factor of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Macrophages can differentiate into two different subsets M1 and M2 that play distinct roles in anti-infection immunity. Here, we investigate the influence of TcpC on M1/M2 polarization and the potential mechanisms. Our data showed that M1 markers CD86 and iNOS were significantly inhibited, while the M2 markers CD163, CD206 and Arg-1 were enhanced in macrophages in kidneys from the TcpC-secreting wild-type CFT073 (CFT073 wt )-infected pyelonephritis mouse model, compared with those in macrophages in kidneys from TcpC knockout CFT073 mutant (CFT073 Δ tcpc )-infected mice. CFT073 wt or recombinant TcpC (rTcpC) treatment inhibits LPS + IFN-γ-induced CD80, CD86, TNF-α and iNOS expression, but promotes IL-4-induced CD163, CD206, Arg-1 and IL-10 expression in both human and mouse macrophage cell lines THP-1 and J774A.1. Moreover, rTcpC significantly attenuated LPS + IFN-γ-induced phosphorylation of p38, ERK, p50 and p65 but enhanced IL-4-induced phosphorylation of Akt and STAT6. These data suggest that TcpC inhibits M1 but promotes M2 macrophage polarization by down-regulation of p38, ERK/NF-κB and up-regulation of the Akt/STAT6 signaling pathway, respectively. Our findings not only illuminate the regulatory effects of TcpC on macrophage M1/M2 polarization and its related signaling pathways, but also provide a novel mechanism underlying TcpC-mediated immune evasion of macrophage-mediated innate immunity.