The apoptotic signaling pathway activated by Toll-like receptor-2

The innate immune system uses Toll family receptors to signal for the presence of microbes and initiate host defense. Bacterial lipoproteins (BLPs), which are expressed by all bacteria, are potent activators of Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2). Here we show that the adaptor molecule, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), mediates both apoptosis and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation by BLP-stimulated TLR2. Inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway downstream of MyD88 potentiates apoptosis, indicating that these two pathways bifurcate at the level of MyD88. TLR2 signals for apoptosis through MyD88 via a pathway involving Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) and caspase 8. Moreover, MyD88 binds FADD and is sufficient to induce apoptosis. These data indicate that TLR2 is a novel 'death receptor' that engages the apoptotic machinery without a conventional cytoplasmic death domain. Through TLR2, BLP induces the synthesis of the precursor of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Interestingly, BLP also activates caspase 1 through TLR2, resulting in proteolysis and secretion of mature IL-1beta. These results indicate that caspase activation is an innate immune response to microbial pathogens, culminating in apoptosis and cytokine production.     

Human toll-like receptor 2 mediates monocyte activation by Listeria monocytogenes, but not by group B streptococci or lipopolysaccharide

Human Toll like receptor (TLR) 2 has been implicated as a signaling receptor for LPS from Gram-negative bacteria and cell wall components from Gram-positive organisms. In this study, we investigated whether TLR2 can signal cell activation by the heat-killed group B streptococci type III (GBS) and Listeria monocytogenes (HKLM). HKLM, but not GBS, showed a time- and dose-dependent activation of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with human TLR2, as measured by translocation of NF-kappaB and induction of IL-6 production. A mAb recognizing a TLR2-associated epitope (TL2.1) was generated that inhibited IL-6 production from Chinese hamster ovary-TLR2 cells stimulated with HKLM or LPS. The TL2.1 mAb reduced HKLM-induced TNF production from human monocytes by 60%, whereas a CD14 mAb (3C10) reduced the TNF production by 30%. However, coadministrating TL2.1 and 3C10 inhibited the TNF response by 80%. In contrast to this, anti-CD14 blocked LPS-induced TNF production from monocytes, whereas anti-TLR2 showed no inhibition. Neither TL2.1 nor 3C10 affected GBS-induced TNF production. These results show that TLR2 can function as a signaling receptor for HKLM, possibly together with CD14, but that TLR2 is unlikely to be involved in cell activation by GBS. Furthermore, although LPS can activate transfected cell lines through TLR2, this receptor does not seem to be the main transducer of LPS activation of human monocytes. Thus, our data demonstrate the ability of TLR2 to distinguish between different pathogens.     

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 induced through TLR4 signaling initiated by Helicobacter pylori cooperatively amplifies iNOS induction in gastric epithelial cells

Cell-surface Toll-like receptors (TLRs) initiate innate immune responses, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction, to microorganisms' surface pathogens. TLR2 and TLR4 play important roles in gastric mucosa infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which contains lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a pathogen. The present study investigates their physiological roles in the innate immune response of gastric epithelial cells to H. pylori-LPS. Changes in the expression of iNOS, TLR2, and TLR4, as well as downstream activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), were analyzed in normal mouse gastric mucosal GSM06 cells following stimulation with H. pylori-LPS and interferon-gamma. Specific inhibitors for mitogen-activated protein kinases, NF-kappaB, and small interfering RNA for TLR2 or TLR4 were employed. The immunohistochemistry of TLR2 was examined in human gastric mucosa. H. pylori-LPS stimulation induced TLR2 in GSM06 cells, but TLR4 was unchanged. TLR2 induction resulted from TLR4 signaling that propagated through extracellular signal-related kinase and NF-kappaB activation, as corroborated by the decline in TLR4 expression on small interfering RNA treatment and pretreatment with inhibitors. The induction of iNOS and the associated nitric oxide production in response to H. pylori-LPS stimulation were inhibited by declines in not only TLR4 but also TLR2. Increased expression of TLR2 was identified in H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa. TLR4 signaling initiated by H. pylori-LPS and propagated via extracellular signal-regulated kinase and NF-kappaB activation induced TLR2 expression in gastric epithelial cells. Induced TLR2 cooperated with TLR4 to amplify iNOS induction. This positive correlation may constitute a mechanism for stimulating the innate immune response against various bacterial pathogens, including H. pylori-LPS.     

Analysis of proteinase-activated receptor 2 and TLR4 signal transduction: a novel paradigm for receptor cooperativity

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR(2)), a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor, is activated at inflammatory sites by proteolytic cleavage of its extracellular N terminus by trypsin-like enzymes, exposing a tethered, receptor-activating ligand. Synthetic agonist peptides (AP) that share the tethered ligand sequence also activate PAR(2), often measured by Ca(2+) release. PAR(2) contributes to inflammation through activation of NF-kappaB-regulated genes; however, the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Overexpression of human PAR(2) in HEK293T cells resulted in concentration-dependent, PAR(2) AP-inducible NF-kappaB reporter activation that was protein synthesis-independent, yet blocked by inhibitors that uncouple G(i) proteins or sequester intracellular Ca(2+). Because previous studies described synergistic PAR(2)- and TLR4-mediated cytokine production, we hypothesized that PAR(2) and TLR4 might interact at the level of signaling. In the absence of TLR4, PAR(2)-induced NF-kappaB activity was inhibited by dominant negative (DN)-TRIF or DN-TRAM constructs, but not by DN-MyD88, findings confirmed using cell-permeable, adapter-specific BB loop blocking peptides. Co-expression of TLR4/MD-2/CD14 with PAR(2) in HEK293T cells led to a synergistic increase in AP-induced NF-kappaB signaling that was MyD88-dependent and required a functional TLR4, despite the fact that AP exhibited no TLR4 agonist activity. Co-immunoprecipitation of PAR(2) and TLR4 revealed a physical association that was AP-dependent. The response to AP or lipopolysaccharide was significantly diminished in TLR4(-/-) and PAR (-/-)(2) macrophages, respectively, and SW620 colonic epithelial cells exhibited synergistic responses to co-stimulation with AP and lipopolysaccharide. Our data suggest a unique interaction between two distinct innate immune response receptors and support a novel paradigm of receptor cooperativity in inflammatory responses.     

Folimycin (concanamycin A) inhibits LPS-induced nitric oxide production and reduces surface localization of TLR4 in murine macrophages

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria and signals through a receptor complex which consists of TLR4, MD-2 and CD14. LPS signaling in macrophages induces the production of many pro-inflammatory molecules, including nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we have shown that folimycin, a macrolide antibiotic and a specific inhibitor of vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase), inhibits LPS-induced NO production, but not TNFalpha production, in murine elicited peritoneal macrophages. However, folimycin did not affect interferon-gamma induced NO production. LPS-induced iNOS mRNA and protein expression and NF-kappaB activation were also inhibited by folimycin. Interestingly, folimycin-treated cells showed reduced surface expression of TLR4 molecules and dilated Golgi apparatus. These findings suggest that folimycin, by inhibiting V-ATPases, alters intra-Golgi pH, which in turn causes defective processing and reduced surface expression of TLR4 reducing the strength of LPS signaling in murine macrophages.     

Flagellin, a novel mediator of Salmonella-induced epithelial activation and systemic inflammation: I kappa B alpha degradation, induction of nitric oxide synthase, induction of proinflammatory mediators, and cardiovascular dysfunction

Gram-negative sepsis is mediated by the actions of proinflammatory genes induced in response to microbes and their products. We report that flagellin, the monomeric subunit of flagella, is a potent proinflammatory species released by Salmonella. Flagellin (1 microgram/ml) induces IkappaBalpha degradation, NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, and inducible NO synthase expression in cultured intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Aflagellic Salmonella mutants do not induce NF-kappaB activation or NO production by cultured IEC. Antiserum to flagellin blocks NO production in IEC induced by medium conditioned by a variety of motile Gram-negative enteric pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella muenchen, Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, and Proteus vulgaris). Flagellin, when injected systemically (approximately 10 microgram/mouse), induces systemic inflammation characterized by the systemic expression of a range of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and of inducible NO synthase. At higher doses (approximately 300 microgram/mouse), flagellin induces shock, characterized by hypotension, reduced vascular contractility in mice, and death. The effects of flagellin do not diminish in C3H/HeJ LPS-resistant mice, indicating that the Toll-like receptor-4 receptor is not involved in flagellin's actions. In LPS-resistant mice, i.p. injection of S. dublin flagellin or medium conditioned by wild-type S. dublin induces serum IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, whereas medium conditioned by aflagellic mutants has no effect. Flagellin can be detected in the blood of rats with septic shock induced by live bacteria at approximately 1 microg/ml. We propose that flagellin released by Gram-negative pathogens may contribute to the inflammatory response by an LPS- and Toll-like receptor-4-independent pathway.     

Toll-like receptor 9-mediated cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation regulates expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Although CpG containing DNA is an important regulator of innate immune responses via toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), excessive activation of this receptor is detrimental to the host. Here, we show that cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) activation is important for TLR9-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Activation of TLR9 signaling by CpG induces iNOS expression and NO production. Inhibition of TLR9 blocked the iNOS expression and NO production. The CpG also stimulates cPLA₂-hydrolyzed arachidonic acid (AA) release. Inhibition of cPLA₂ activity by inhibitor attenuated the iNOS expression by CpG response. Additionally, knockdown of cPLA₂ protein by miRNA also suppressed the CpG-induced iNOS expression. Furthermore, the CpG rapidly phosphorylates three MAPKs and Akt. A potent inhibitor for p38 MAPK or Akt blocked the CpG-induced AA release and iNOS expression. These results suggest that TLR9 activation stimulates cPLA₂ activity via p38 or Akt pathways and mediates iNOS expression.     

Pathogen-specific TLR2 protein activation programs macrophages to induce Wnt-beta-catenin signaling

Innate immunity recognizes and resists various pathogens; however, the mechanisms regulating pathogen versus nonpathogen discrimination are still imprecisely understood. Here, we demonstrate that pathogen-specific activation of TLR2 upon infection with Mycobacterium bovis BCG, in comparison with other pathogenic microbes, including Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus, programs macrophages for robust up-regulation of signaling cohorts of Wnt-β-catenin signaling. Signaling perturbations or genetic approaches suggest that infection-mediated stimulation of Wnt-β-catenin is vital for activation of Notch1 signaling. Interestingly, inducible NOS (iNOS) activity is pivotal for TLR2-mediated activation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling as iNOS(-/-) mice demonstrated compromised ability to trigger activation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling as well as Notch1-mediated cellular responses. Intriguingly, TLR2-driven integration of iNOS/NO, Wnt-β-catenin, and Notch1 signaling contributes to its capacity to regulate the battery of genes associated with T(Reg) cell lineage commitment. These findings reveal a role for differential stimulation of TLR2 in deciding the strength of Wnt-β-catenin signaling, which together with signals from Notch1 contributes toward the modulation of a defined set of effector functions in macrophages and thus establishes a conceptual framework for the development of novel therapeutics.     

Differential effects of a Toll-like receptor antagonist on Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced macrophage responses

We previously showed that viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacilli contain distinct ligands that activate cells via the mammalian Toll-like receptor (TLR) proteins TLR2 and TLR4. We now demonstrate that expression of a dominant negative TLR2 or TLR4 proteins in RAW 264.7 macrophages partially blocked Mtb-induced NF-kappa B activation. Coexpression of both dominant negative proteins blocked virtually all Mtb-induced NF-kappa B activation. The role of the TLR4 coreceptor MD-2 was also examined. Unlike LPS, Mtb-induced macrophage activation was not augmented by overexpression of ectopic MD-2. Moreover, cells expressing an LPS-unresponsive MD-2 mutant responded normally to Mtb. We also observed that the lipid A-like antagonist E5531 specifically inhibited TLR4-dependent Mtb-induced cellular responses. E5531 could substantially block LPS- and Mtb-induced TNF-alpha production in both RAW 264.7 cells and primary human alveolar macrophages (AM phi). E5531 inhibited Mtb-induced AM phi apoptosis in vitro, an effect that was a consequence of the inhibition of TNF-alpha production by E5531. In contrast, E5531 did not inhibit Mtb-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells and AM phi. Mtb-stimulated peritoneal macrophages from TLR2- and TLR4-deficient animals produced similar amounts of NO compared with control animals, demonstrating that these TLR proteins are not required for Mtb-induced NO production. Lastly, we demonstrated that a dominant negative MyD88 mutant could block Mtb-induced activation of the TNF-alpha promoter, but not the inducible NO synthase promoter, in murine macrophages. Together, these data suggest that Mtb-induced TNF-alpha production is largely dependent on TLR signaling. In contrast, Mtb-induced NO production may be either TLR independent or mediated by TLR proteins in a MyD88-independent manner.     

Roles of N-linked glycans in the recognition of microbial lipopeptides and lipoproteins by TLR2

Details of roles of carbohydrates attached to Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and in the formation of the functional receptor complex still remain unknown. This study was designed to determine whether the glycans linked at Asn114, Asn199, Asn414 and Asn442 residues of TLR2 ectodomain were involved in the recognition of diacylated lipopeptide and lipoprotein. Single and multiple mutants were transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells together with a NF-kappaB luciferase reporter plasmid. All of these mutants were expressed on the surface. SDS-PAGE of the transfectants demonstrated that these mutants migrated lower than wild-type TLR2 and their molecular masses decreased as the number of mutated Asn residues increased. TLR2(N114A), TLR2(N199A) and TLR2(N414A) as well as wild-type TLR2 induced NF-kappaB activation when stimulated with these ligands, whereas TLR2(N442A) failed to induce NF-kappaB activation. All of triple and quadruple mutants failed to induce NF-kappaB activation, but were associated with both wild-type TLR2 and TLR6 in the transfectants. TLR2(N114A,N199A), TLR2(N114A,N414A) and, to a lesser extent, TLR2(N114A,N442A), in which two N-linked glycans are speculated to be exposed to the concave surface of TLR2 solenoid, not only induce NF-kappaB activation but also are associated with wild-type TLR2 and TLR6. These results suggest that the glycan at Asn442 and at least two N-linked glycans speculated to be exposed to the concave surface of TLR2 solenoid are involved in the recognition of ligands by TLR2 and/or in formation or maturation of a functional TLR2 receptor complex.     

Rip1 mediates the Trif-dependent toll-like receptor 3- and 4-induced NF-{kappa}B activation but does not contribute to interferon regulatory factor 3 activation

Rip1 is required for IkappaB kinase activation in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and has been implicated in the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) response to double-stranded RNA. Cytokine production is impaired when rip1-/- cells are treated with TNF-alpha, poly(I-C), or lipopolysaccharide, implicating Rip1 in the Trif-dependent TLR3 and TLR4 pathways. To examine the role of Rip1 in the Trif-dependent TLR4 pathway, we generated rip1-/- MyD88-/- cells. Lipopolysaccharide failed to stimulate NF-kappaB activation in rip1-/-MyD88-/- cells, revealing that Rip1 is also required for the Trif-dependent TLR4-induced NF-kappaB pathway. In addition to activating NF-kappaB, TLR3/4 pathways also stimulate interferon regulatory factor 3 activation. However, we find that Rip1 expression stimulates NF-kappaB but not interferon regulatory factor 3 activity. In the TNF-alpha pathway, Rip1 interacts with the E3 ubiquitin ligase Traf2 and is modified by polyubiquitin chains. Upon TLR3 activation, Rip1 is also modified by polyubiquitin chains and is recruited to TLR3 along with Traf6 and the ubiquitin-activated kinase Tak1. These studies suggest that Rip1 uses a similar, ubiquitin-dependent mechanism to activate IkappaB kinase-beta in response to TNF-alpha and TLR3 ligands.     

Ras participates in CpG oligodeoxynucleotide signaling through association with toll-like receptor 9 and promotion of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 complex formation in macrophages

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) activate immune cells to produce immune mediators by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-mediated signal transduction, which activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) through the MyD88/IRAK/TRAF6 kinases cascade. However, the precise mechanisms of CpG ODN activation of immune cells have not been fully elucidated. The small GTP-binding protein Ras mediates MAPK activation in response to a variety of stimuli. Up to now, it is not clear whether Ras plays a role in CpG ODN signaling. In the present study, we found that the dominant-negative version of Ras (RasN17) and specific Ras inhibitor, FTI-277, inhibited CpG ODN-induced nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. While overexpression of wild-type Ras enhanced CpG ODN-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and NF-kappaB activation, overexpression of RasN17 inhibited CpG ODN-induced ERK, JNK, and NF-kappaB activation. RasN17 overexpression also inhibited CpG ODN-induced IRAK1/TRAF6 complex formation. Further studies revealed that CpG ODN activated Ras in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and Ras associated with TLR9 in a CpG ODN-dependent manner. Most interestingly, activation of Ras preceded the association of Ras with TLR9, giving rise to a possibility that Ras activation might not be dependent on the interaction between Ras and TLR9. Our data demonstrate for the first time that Ras can be activated by CpG ODN in macrophages, and Ras is involved in CpG ODN signaling as an early event by associating with TLR9 and promoting IRAK1/TRAF6 complex formation, and MAPK and NF-kappaB activation.