Distinct control of MyD88 adapter-dependent and Akt kinase-regulated responses by the interleukin (IL)-1RI co-receptor, TILRR

Inflammatory responses are controlled through members of the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R)/Toll-like receptor superfamily. Our earlier work demonstrates that the IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1RI) co-receptor, Toll-like and IL-1 receptor regulator (TILRR), amplifies IL-1 activation of NF-κB and inflammatory genes. Here we show that TILRR similarly promotes IL-1-induced anti-apoptotic signals and reduces caspase-3 activity. Further, the TILRR-induced effects on cell survival and inflammatory responses are controlled through distinct parts of the IL-1RI regulatory Toll IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis identified a functional TILRR mutant (R425A), which blocked increases in cell survival and upstream activation of Akt but had no effect on amplification of MyD88-dependent inflammatory responses. A second mutant (D448A) blocked TILRR potentiation of MyD88-dependent signals and inflammatory activation but had no impact on cell survival. Secondary structure predictions suggested that the mutations induce distinct alterations in the α-helical structure of the TILRR core protein. The results indicate a role for TILRR in selective amplification of NF-κB responses through IL-1RI and suggest that the specificity is determined by changes in receptor conformation and adapter protein recruitment.     

Toll receptors and pathogen resistance

Toll receptors in insects, mammals and plants are key players that sense the invasion of pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in mammals have been established to detect specific components of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Furthermore, recent evidence indicates that TLRs are involved in the recognition of viral invasion. Signalling pathways via TLRs originate from the conserved Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain. The TIR domain-containing MyD88 acts as a common adaptor that induces inflammatory cytokines; however, there exists a MyD88-independent pathway that induces type I IFNs in TLR4 and TLR3 signalling. Another TIR domain-containing adaptor, TIRAP/Mal has recently been shown to mediate the MyD88-dependent activation in the TLR4 and TLR2 signalling pathway. Thus, individual TLRs may have their own signalling systems that characterize their specific activities.     

Structural and morphological diversity of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans synthesized in vitro by enzymes from Saprolegnia monoïca. Comparison with a corresponding in vitro product from blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)

Detergent extracts of microsomal fractions from Saprolegnia mono?ca and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) cells were incubated with UDP-glucose to yield in vitro (1-->3)-beta-d-glucans. The insoluble products were analyzed by conventional and cryo transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and (13)C CP/MAS NMR, and their molecular weights were determined by light scattering experiments. All the products were microfibrillar, but for the detergent extracts from S. mono?ca, important morphological differences were observed when the pH of the synthesizing medium was modified. At pH 6, the product had a weight average degree of polymerization () exceeding 20 000 and consisted of endless ribbon-like microfibrils. The microfibrils obtained at pH 9 had a length of only 200-300 nm, and their was approximately 5000. Of all the in vitro (1-->3)-beta-d-glucans, the one from R. fruticosus had the shortest length and the smallest. Crystallographic and spectroscopic data showed that the three in vitro samples consisted of triple helices of (1-->3)-beta-d-glucans and contained substantial amounts of water molecules in their structure, the shortest microfibrils being more hydrated. In addition, the long microfibrils from S. mono?ca synthesized at pH 6 were more resistant toward the action of an endo-(1-->3)-beta-d-glucanase than the shorter ones obtained at pH 9. These results are discussed in terms of molecular biosynthetic mechanisms of fungal and plant (1-->3)-beta-d-glucans, and in relation with the possible existence of several (1-->3)-beta-d-glucan synthases in a given organism. The interpretation and discussion of these observations integrate the current knowledge of the structure and function of (1-->3)-beta-d-glucans.     

Interactive sites in the MyD88 Toll/interleukin (IL) 1 receptor domain responsible for coupling to the IL1beta signaling pathway

Myeloid differentiation factor MyD88 is the essential adaptor protein that integrates and transduces intracellular signals generated by multiple Toll-like receptors including receptor complex for interleukin (IL) 1beta, a key inflammatory cytokine. IL1beta receptor complex interacts with MyD88 via the Toll/IL1 receptor (TIR) domain. Here we report structure-function studies that help define the MyD88 TIR domain binding sites involved in IL1beta-induced protein-protein interactions. The MyD88 TIR domain, employed as a dominant negative inhibitor of IL1beta signaling to screen MyD88 TIR mutants, lost its suppressing activity upon truncation of its Box 3. Accordingly, mutations of Box 3 residues 285-286 reversed the dominant negative effect of the MyD88 TIR domain on IL1beta-induced and NFkappaB-dependent reporter gene activity and IL6 production. Moreover, mutations of residues 171 in helix alphaA, 195-197 in Box 2, and 275 in betaE-strand had similar functional effects. Strikingly, only mutations of residues 195-197 eliminated the TIR-TIR interaction of MyD88 and IL1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAcP), whereas substitution of neighboring canonical Pro200 by His was without effect. Mutations in Box 2 and 3 prevented homotypic MyD88 oligomerization via TIR domain. Based on this structure-function analysis, a three-dimensional docking model of TIR-TIR interaction between MyD88 and IL1RAcP was developed.     

Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor Domain Dimers as the Platform for Activation and Enhanced Inhibition of Toll-like Receptor Signaling

TIR (Toll/IL-1 receptor) domains mediate interactions between TLR (Toll-like) or IL-1 family receptors and signaling adapters. While homotypic TIR domain interactions mediate receptor activation they are also usurped by microbial TIR domain containing proteins for immunosuppression. Here we show the role of a dimerized TIR domain platform for the suppression as well as for the activation of MyD88 signaling pathway. Coiled-coil dimerization domain, present in many bacterial TCPs, potently augments suppression of TLR/IL-1R signaling. The addition of a strong coiled-coil dimerization domain conferred the superior inhibition against the wide spectrum of TLRs and prevented the constitutive activation by a dimeric TIR platform. We propose a molecular model of MyD88-mediated signaling based on the dimerization of TIR domains as the limiting step.     

Structure, function and regulation of the Toll/IL-1 receptor adaptor proteins

The Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain plays a central role in Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling. All TLRs contain a cytoplasmic TIR domain, which, upon activation, acts as a scaffold to recruit adaptor proteins. The adaptor proteins MyD88, Mal, TRIF, TRAM and SARM are also characterized by the presence of a TIR domain. MyD88, Mal, TRIF and TRAM associate with the TLRs via homophilic TIR domain interactions whereas SARM utilizes its TIR domain to negatively regulate TRIF. It is well established that the differential recruitment of adaptors to TLRs provides a significant amount of specificity to the TLR-signalling pathways. Despite this, the TIR-TIR interface has not been well defined. However, structural studies have indicated the importance of TIR domain surfaces in mediating specific TIR-TIR interactions. Furthermore, recent findings regarding the regulation of adaptors provide further insight into the crucial role of the TIR domain in TLR signalling.     

Modulation of microtubule dynamics by a TIR domain protein from the intracellular pathogen Brucella melitensis

TIR (Toll/interleukin-1 receptor) domain-containing proteins play a crucial role in innate immunity in eukaryotes. Brucella is a highly infectious intracellular bacterium that encodes a TIR domain protein (TcpB) to subvert host innate immune responses to establish a beneficial niche for pathogenesis. TcpB inhibits NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions mediated by TLR (Toll-like receptor) 2 and TLR4. In the present study, we have demonstrated that TcpB modulates microtubule dynamics by acting as a stabilization factor. TcpB increased the rate of nucleation as well as the polymerization phases of microtubule formation in a similar manner to paclitaxel. TcpB could efficiently inhibit nocodazole- or cold-induced microtubule disassembly. Microtubule stabilization by TcpB is attributed to the BB-loop region of the TIR domain, and a point mutation affected the microtubule stabilization as well as the TLR-suppression properties of TcpB.     

Summary and comparison of the signaling mechanisms of the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor family

The Toll/interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor (TIR) family comprises two groups of transmembrane proteins, which share functional and structural properties. The members of the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) subfamily are characterized by three extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains. They form heterodimeric signaling receptor complexes consisting of receptor and accessory proteins. The members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) subfamily recognize alarm signals that can be derived either from pathogens or the host itself. TLRs possess leucine-rich repeats in their extracellular part. TLRs can form dimeric receptor complexes consisting of two different TLRs or homodimers in the case of TLR4. The TLR4 receptor complex requires supportive molecules for optimal response to its ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A hallmark of the TIR family is the cytoplasmic TIR domain that is indispensable for signal transduction. The TIR domain serves as a scaffold for a series of protein-protein interactions which result in the activation of a unique signaling module consisting of MyD88, interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase (IRAK) family members and Tollip, which is used exclusively by TIR family members. Subsequently, several central signaling pathways are activated in parallel, the activation of NFkappaB being the most prominent event of the inflammatory response. Recent developments indicate that in addition to the common signaling module MyD88/IRAK/Tollip, other molecules can modulate signaling by TLRs, especially of TLR4, resulting in differential biological answers to distinct pathogenic structures. Subtle differences in TLR signaling pathways are now becoming apparent, which reveal how the innate immune system decides at a very early stage the direction in which the adaptive immune response will develop. The creation of pathogen-specific mediator environments by dendritic cells defines whether a cellular or humoral response will be activated in response to the pathogen.     

A phosphorylation site in the Toll-like receptor 5 TIR domain is required for inflammatory signalling in response to flagellin

Flagellin, the major structural subunit of bacterial flagella, potently induces inflammatory responses in mammalian cells by activating Toll-like receptor (TLR) 5. Like other TLRs, TLR5 recruits signalling molecules to its intracellular TIR domain, leading to inflammatory responses. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) has been reported to play a role in early TLR signalling. We identified a putative binding site for PI3K at tyrosine 798 in the TLR5 TIR domain, at a site analogous to the PI3K recruitment domain in the interleukin-1 receptor. Mutation of this residue did not affect homodimerization, but prevented inflammatory responses to flagellin. While we did not detect direct interaction of PI3K with TLR5, we demonstrated by mass spectrometry that Y798 is phosphorylated in flagellin-treated HEK 293T cells. Together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of Y798 in TLR5 is required for signalling, but not for TLR5 dimerization.     

Lack of Toll IL-1R8 exacerbates Th17 cell responses in fungal infection

TLRs contribute to the inflammatory response in fungal infections. Although inflammation is an essential component of the protective response to fungi, its dysregulation may significantly worsen fungal diseases. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Toll IL-1R8 (TIR8)/single Ig IL-1-related receptor, a member of the IL-1R family acting as a negative regulator of TLR/IL-1R signaling, affects TLR responses in fungal infections. Genetically engineered Tir8(-/-) mice were assessed for inflammatory and adaptive Th cell responses to Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Inflammatory pathology and susceptibility to infection were higher in Tir8(-/-) mice and were causally linked to the activation of the Th17 pathway. IL-1R signaling was involved in Th17 cell activation by IL-6 and TGF-beta in that limited inflammatory pathology and relative absence of Th17 cell activation were observed in IL-1RI(-/-) mice. These data demonstrate that TIR8 is required for host resistance to fungal infections and that it functions to negatively regulate IL-1-dependent activation of inflammatory Th17 responses. TIR8 may contribute toward fine-tuning the balance between protective immunity and immunopathology in infection.     

1H, 13C, and 15N resonance assignment of the TIR domain of human MyD88

Myeloid differentiating factor 88 (MyD88) is one of a critical adaptor molecule in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. The TIR domain of MyD88 serves as a protein–protein interaction module and interacts with other TIR-containing proteins such as Mal (MyD88 adaptor-like) and Toll-like receptor 4 to form signal initiation complexes. Here we report the ¹⁵N, ¹³C, and ¹H chemical shift assignments of the TIR domain of MyD88. The resonance assignments obtained in this work will contribute to the study of heteromeric TIR–TIR interactions between MyD88 and TIR-containing receptors or adaptors.     

鸡MyD88-TIR的同源模建

髓样分化因子(MyD88)是Toll受体(TLR)信号通路中的一个关键接头分子,在传递信息和介导炎症反应中具有重要的作用。对鸡MyD88(Myeloid differentiation primary response protein MyD88)的TIR(Toll-interleukin1-resistance)区域进行同源建模,并评估其可用性,为进一步研究MyD88与TLR(Toll receptor)相互作用的原理奠定基础。通过结构域分析、模板相似性搜索和序列比对、初始建模、精修和动力学优化,立体化学结构和能量合理性评估,获得未知三维结构的鸡MyD88-TIR三维模型。结果表明,鸡MyD88包含DEATH和TIR两个结构域,所模拟的MyD88-TIR三维模型二面角构象和氨基酸能量分布以及主侧链立体化学特性合理。     

SIGIRR inhibits interleukin-1 receptor- and toll-like receptor 4-mediated signaling through different mechanisms

The Toll-interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain-containing orphan receptor SIGIRR (single immunoglobulin interleukin-1 receptor-related protein) acts as a negative regulator of interleukin (IL)-1 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling. Endogenous SIGIRR transiently interacted with IL-1 receptor and the receptor-proximal signaling components (MyD88, IRAK, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6) upon IL-1 stimulation, indicating that SIGIRR interacts with the IL-1 receptor complex in a ligand-dependent manner. Similar interaction was also observed between SIGIRR and Toll-like receptor 4 receptor complex upon LPS stimulation. To identify the domains of SIGIRR required for its interaction with the Toll-like receptor 4 and IL-1 receptor complexes, several SIGIRR deletion mutants were generated, including DeltaN (lacking the extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig) domain with deletion of amino acids 1-119), DeltaC (lacking the C-terminal domain with deletion of amino acids 313-410), and DeltaTIR (lacking the TIR domain with deletion of amino acids 161-313). Whereas both the extracellular Ig domain and the intracellular TIR domains are important for SIGIRR to inhibit IL-1 signaling, only the TIR domain is necessary for SIGIRR to inhibit LPS signaling. The extracellular Ig domain exerts its inhibitory role in IL-1 signaling by interfering with the heterodimerization of IL-1 receptor and IL-1RAcP, whereas the intracellular TIR domain inhibits both IL-1 and LPS signaling by attenuating the recruitment of receptor-proximal signaling components to the receptor. These results indicate that SIGIRR inhibits IL-1 and LPS signaling pathways through differential mechanisms.     

Crystal structure of the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain of human IL-1RAPL

The Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain is conserved in the intracellular regions of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1Rs) as well as in several cytoplasmic adapter molecules. This domain has crucial roles in signal transduction by these receptors for host immune response. Here we report the crystal structure at 2.3-A resolution of the TIR domain of human IL-1RAPL, the first structure of a TIR domain of the IL-1R superfamily. There are large structural differences between this TIR domain and that of TLR1 and TLR2. Helix alphaD in IL-1RAPL is almost perpendicular to its equivalent in TLR1 or TLR2. The BB loop contains a hydrogen bond unique to IL-1RAPL between Thr residues at the 8th and 10th positions. The structural and sequence diversity among these domains may be important for specificity in the signal transduction by these receptors. A dimer of the TIR domain of IL-1RAPL is observed in the crystal, although this domain is monomeric in solution. Residues in the dimer interface are mostly unique to IL-1RAPL, which is consistent with the distinct functional roles of this receptor. Our functional studies show IL-1RAPL can activate JNK but not the ERK or the p38 MAP kinases, whereas its close homolog, TIGIRR, cannot activate JNK. Deletion mutagenesis studies show that the activation of JNK by IL-1RAPL does not depend on the integrity of its TIR domain, suggesting a distinct mechanism of signaling through this receptor.