4,4'-Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate exposure induces expression of alternatively activated macrophage-associated markers and chemokines partially through Krüppel-like factor 4 mediated signaling in macrophages.

Occupational exposure to the most widely used monomeric diisocyanate (dNCO), 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), may lead to the development of occupational asthma (OA). Alveolar macrophages with alternatively activated (M2) phenotype have been implicated in allergic airway responses and the pathogenesis of asthma. Recent studies demonstrate that M2 macrophage-associated markers and chemokines are induced by MDI-exposure, however, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) by which this proceeds is unclear.Following MDI exposure ( and ) M2 macrophage-associated transcription factors (TFs), markers, and chemokines were determined by RT-qPCR, western blots, and ELISA.Expression of M2 macrophage-associated TFs and markers including /KLF4, /CD206, /TGM2, /CCL17, /CCL22, and CCL24 were induced by MDI/MDI-GSH exposure in bronchoalveolar lavage cells (BALCs)/THP-1 macrophages. The expression of and are upregulated by 3.83-, 7.69-, 6.22-, 6.08-, and 1.90-fold in KLF4-overexpressed macrophages, respectively. Endogenous and were downregulated by 1.65-5.17-fold, and 1.15-1.78-fold, whereas and remain unchanged in KLF4-knockdown macrophages. Finally, MDI-glutathione (GSH) conjugate-treated macrophages show increased chemotactic ability to T-cells and eosinophils, which may be attenuated by KLF4 knockdown.Our data suggest that MDI exposure may induce M2 macrophage-associated markers partially through induction of KLF4.