Regulation of neutrophil-mediated killing of Staphylococcus aureus and chemotaxis by c-jun NH2 terminal kinase

The role of JNK in neutrophil chemotaxis and killing of microbial pathogens remains unclear. Using a recently described cell-permeable peptide inhibitor of the JNK pathway, based on the JBD of JIP-1, coupled to the protein transduction domain of HIV-TAT (TAT-JIP), in association with control peptides, we demonstrate that the JNK pathway plays a major role in regulating human neutrophil chemotaxis and killing of microbial pathogens. Serum-opsonized Staphylococcus aureus elicited JNK activation and c-jun phosphorylation. The activation of the JNK pathway and bactericidal activity were inhibited by the TAT-JIP peptide. The stimulation of oxygen radical generation by S. aureus was dependent on the JNK signaling pathway, as was the phagocytosis of serum-opsonized bacteria. Chemotaxis to activated serum complement but not random migration was inhibited by the TAT-JIP peptide. The findings demonstrate a major role for the JNK signaling pathway in neutrophil-mediated defense against microbial pathogens. J. Leukoc. Biol. 87: 925-932; 2010.