Impaired LPS-induced signaling in microglia overexpressing the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein N-terminal domain

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) plays important roles in TCR signaling, but its roles in signal transduction in innate immune cells have not been well characterized. As microglia are the primary immune effector cells in the brain, WASP may possibly have important roles in microglial activation, such as production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic factors. Here, we established a microglial cell line from WASP dominant-negative transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing the N-terminal enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein homology 1 (EVH1) domain. WASP Tg microglia were impaired in production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 beta upon LPS stimulation, whereas anti-inflammatory IL-10 production was significantly enhanced. Also, LPS-induced phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B was reduced in WASP Tg microglia. Furthermore, WASP Tg microglia exhibited less cytotoxicity against co-cultured neurons after stimulation by LPS and IFN-gamma, with a concordant decrease in nitric oxide production. These results strongly suggest that WASP may have pivotal roles through the EVH1 domain in the LPS signaling cascade, either directly or indirectly, and modulates inflammatory immune responses in microglia.