Role of the mannose receptor during aspergillus fumigatus infection and interaction with dectin-1 in corneal epithelial cells

Purpose: To investigate the expression and function of the mannose receptor (MR) and to explore its interaction with dectin-1 in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) exposed to Aspergillus fumigatus. Methods: HCECs were stimulated with A. fumigatus for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 hours. MR expression was tested by the polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. HCECs were pretreated with 2 mg/mL MR-blocking antibody. The expressions of p38, phosphorylated p38 (p-p38), and the downstream cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and dectin-1 were tested by the polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HCECs were pretreated with dectin-1 agonists (curdlan, 100 mg/mL) and inhibitors (laminarin, 10 mg/mL), and the expression of the MR was tested. Results: MR expression was upregulated after stimulation with A. fumigatus. MR mRNA and protein levels began to rise at 8 and 16 hours, respectively. Stronger immunostaining of the MR was observed in fungal-infected corneal epithelium than in normal corneal epithelium. Aspergillus fumigatus increased the production of TNF-α (11-fold, 4-fold of the control), IL-1β (4.7-fold, 3-fold of the control), p-p38 (2.1-fold of the control), and dectin-1 (2.3-fold, 2-fold of the control) in mRNA and protein levels. The MR antibody significantly suppressed the expression of TNF-α (28%, 50% reduction), IL-1β (38%, 42% reduction), p-p38 (38% reduction), and dectin-1 (48%, 47% reduction). Curdlan increased the production of the MR (1.5-fold, 1.9-fold of the control), whereas laminarin decreased the expression of the MR (50%, 60% reduction) induced by A. fumigatus. Conclusions: HCECs express the MR, and A. fumigatus infection can increase MR expression. A. fumigatus induces the expression of inflammatory cytokines through the MR and p38 MAPK pathway. The expression of dectin-1 and the MR had mutual influence.