Mannan‐binding lectin reduces CpG DNA‐induced inflammatory cytokine production by human monocytes

Mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) belongs to the collectin family and functions as an opsonin that can also initiate complement activation. Our previous study showed that MBL serves as a double‐stranded RNA binding protein that attenuates polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid‐induced TLR3 activation. Prompted by these findings, in the present study cross‐talk between MBL and CpG‐DNA‐induced TLR9 activation was investigated. Here, it was found that MBL also interacts with the TLR9 agonist, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG‐ODN), in a calcium‐dependent manner. Purified MBL protein suppressed activation of nuclear factor‐kappa B signaling and subsequent production of proinflammatory cytokines from human monocytes induced by CpG‐ODN 2006. These observations indicate that MBL can down‐regulate CpG DNA‐induced TLR9 activation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the interaction of MBL with TLR agonist in host immune defense.     

Crystal structure of the C‐terminal domain of mouse TLR9

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are important pattern recognition receptors that function in innate immunity. Elucidating the structure and signaling mechanisms of TLR9, a sensor of foreign and endogenous DNA, is essential for understanding its key role in immunity against microbial pathogens as well as in autoimmunity. Abundant evidence suggests that the TLR9‐CTD (C‐terminal domain) by itself is capable of DNA binding and signaling. The crystal structure of unliganded mouse TLR9‐CTD is presented. TLR9‐CTD exhibits one unique feature, a cluster of stacked aromatic and arginine side chains on its concave face. Overall, its structure is most related to the TLR8‐CTD, suggesting a similar mode of ligand binding and signaling. Proteins 2014; 82:2874–2878. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Down‐regulation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases and nuclear factor‐κB signaling is involved in rapamycin suppression of TLR2‐induced inflammatory response in monocytic THP‐1 cells

Tripalmitoyl‐S‐glycero‐Cys‐(Lys) 4 (Pam3CSK4) interacted with TLR2 induces inflammatory responses through the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signal pathway. Rapamycin can suppress TLR‐induced inflammatory responses; however, the detailed molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, the mechanism by which rapamycin suppresses TLR2‐induced inflammatory responses was investigated. It was found that Pam3CSK4‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokines were significantly down‐regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in THP‐1 cells pre‐treated with various concentrations of rapamycin. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase‐B (PI3K/AKT) signaling did not suppress the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, indicating that the immunosuppression mediated by rapamycin in THP1 cells is independent of the PI3K/AKT pathway. RT‐PCR showed that Erk and NF‐κB signal pathways are related to the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Inhibition of Erk or NF‐κB signaling significantly down‐regulated production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, western blot showed that pre‐treatment of THP‐1 cells with rapamycin down‐regulates MAPKs and NF‐κB signaling induced by Pam3CSK4 stimulation, suggesting that rapamycin suppresses Pam3CSK4‐induced pro‐inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of TLR2 signaling. It was concluded that rapamycin suppresses TLR2‐induced inflammatory responses by down‐regulation of Erk and NF‐κB signaling.     

TLR sorting by Rab11 endosomes maintains intestinal epithelial‐microbial homeostasis

Compartmentalization of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) regulates distinct immune responses to microbes; however, the specific cellular machinery that controls this mechanism has not been fully identified. Here we provide genetic evidences that the recycling endosomal compartment in enterocytes maintains a homeostatic TLR9 intracellular distribution, supporting mucosal tolerance to normal microbiota. Genetic ablation of a recycling endosome resident small GTPase, Rab11a, a gene adjacent to a Crohn's disease risk locus, in mouse IECs and in Drosophila midgut caused epithelial cell‐intrinsic cytokine production, inflammatory bowel phenotype, and early mortality. Unlike wild‐type controls, germ‐free Rab11a‐deficient mouse intestines failed to tolerate the intraluminal stimulation of microbial agonists. Thus, Rab11a endosome controls intestinal host‐microbial homeostasis at least partially via sorting TLRs.     

大鼠白念珠菌支气管肺感染时肺组织Toll样受体2的表达及意义

目的 探讨Toll样受体2(TLR2)在白念珠菌支气管肺感染大鼠肺组织模型中的表达及意义.方法 建立白念珠菌支气管肺感染大鼠模型,观察感染后肺组织病理形态学改变,采用免疫组织化学法观察感染后不同时间(第3天、第7天)白念珠菌支气管肺感染大鼠肺组织TLR2的表达,并与未感染组进行比较.结果 大鼠白念珠菌支气管肺感染后肺组织TLR2表达水平明显升高.结论 白念珠菌支气管肺感染肺组织TLR2表达增高可能参与感染的炎症反应.     

熊去氧胆酸联合双歧三联活菌对结肠炎小鼠炎症因子及肠道菌群影响

目的 探究熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)联合双歧三联活菌对溃疡性结肠炎(UC)小鼠IL 10、TLR4及肠道菌群的影响。 方法 购自中国科学院微生物研究所SPF级BALB/c小鼠60只,按照区间分组法将小鼠分为对照组、UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组各12只。每日观察小鼠一般情况、收集粪便做大便隐血实验检测、采用疾病活动指数(DAI)评分判断疾病活动指数;于建模成功7 d后采集各组眼眶静脉血、断头法处死后获取结肠组织,检测IL 10、TLR4,进行UC组织病理学评分,并取小鼠粪便分析其肠道菌群变化。 结果 第3、7、21 d UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组DAI评分均低于UC组,且UDCA联合组DAI评分低于UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组;第21 d UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组的体质量均低于对照组,UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组体质量均高于UC组,且UDCA联合组体质量高于UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组(P结论 熊去氧胆酸联合双歧三联活菌治疗UC小鼠,可明显降低IL 10、TLR4水平,增加肠道菌群数量,治疗效果更佳。     

Homology modeling of human Toll‐like receptors TLR7, 8, and 9 ligand‐binding domains

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in the innate immune system. The TLR7, 8, and 9 compose a family of intracellularly localized TLRs that signal in response to pathogen‐derived nucleic acids. So far, there are no crystallographic structures for TLR7, 8, and 9. For this reason, their ligand‐binding mechanisms are poorly understood. To enable first predictions of the receptor–ligand interaction sites, we developed three‐dimensional structures for the leucine‐rich repeat ectodomains of human TLR7, 8, and 9 based on homology modeling. To achieve a high sequence similarity between targets and templates, structural segments from all known TLR ectodomain structures (human TLR1/2/3/4 and mouse TLR3/4) were used as candidate templates for the modeling. The resulting models support previously reported essential ligand‐binding residues. They also provide a basis to identify three potential receptor dimerization mechanisms. Additionally, potential ligand‐binding residues are identified using combined procedures. We suggest further investigations of these residues through mutation experiments. Our modeling approach can be extended to other members of the TLR family or other repetitive proteins.     

Site‐specific contribution of Toll‐like receptor 4 to intestinal homeostasis and inflammatory disease

Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a highly conserved protein of innate immunity, responsible for the regulation and maintenance of homeostasis, as well as immune recognition of external and internal ligands. TLR4 is expressed on a variety of cell types throughout the gastrointestinal tract, including on epithelial and immune cell populations. In a healthy state, epithelial cell expression of TLR4 greatly assists in homeostasis by shaping the host microbiome, promoting immunoglobulin A production, and regulating follicle‐associated epithelium permeability. In contrast, immune cell expression of TLR4 in healthy states is primarily centred on the maturation of dendritic cells in response to stimuli, as well as adequately priming the adaptive immune system to fight infection and promote immune memory. Hence, in a healthy state, there is a clear distinction in the site‐specific roles of TLR4 expression. Similarly, recent research has indicated the importance of site‐specific TLR4 expression in inflammation and disease, particularly the impact of epithelial‐specific TLR4 on disease progression. However, the majority of evidence still remains ambiguous for cell‐specific observations, with many studies failing to provide the distinction of epithelial versus immune cell expression of TLR4, preventing specific mechanistic insight and greatly impacting the translation of results. The following review provides a critical overview of the current understanding of site‐specific TLR4 activity and its contribution to intestinal/immune homeostasis and inflammatory diseases.     

A novel TLR2‐triggered signalling crosstalk synergistically intensifies TNF‐mediated IL‐6 induction

Toll‐like receptors (TLR) recognize pathogens and trigger the production of vigorous pro‐inflammatory cytokines [such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)] that induce systemic damages associated with sepsis and chronic inflammation. Cooperation between signals of TLR and TNF receptor has been demonstrated through the participation of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR) adaptors in endotoxin tolerance. Here, we identify a TLR2‐mediated synergy, through a MyD88‐independent crosstalk, which enhances subsequent TNF‐mediated nuclear factor‐kappa B activation and interleukin‐6 induction. Membrane‐associated adaptor MAL conduces the link between TNF receptor‐associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and TNFR‐associated death domain, leading to a distinctive K63‐ubiquitinylated TRAF6 recruitment into TNFR complex. In summary, our results reveal a novel route of TLR signal that synergistically amplifies TNF‐mediated responses, indicating an innovative target for inflammation manipulation.     

Critical role of Toll‐like receptor 2 in Bacteroides fragilis‐mediated immune responses in murine peritoneal mesothelial cells

In this study, the role of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) in immune responses of murine peritoneal mesothelial cells against Bacteroides fragilis was investigated. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure cytokines and chemokines. Activation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB‐α) and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) was investigated by western blot analysis. B. fragilis induced production of interleukin‐6, chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in wild type peritoneal mesothelial cells; this was impaired in TLR2‐deficient cells. In addition, in response to B. fragilis, phosphorylation of inhibitory NF‐κB‐α and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) was induced in wild type mesothelial cells, but not in TLR2‐deficient cells,. Inhibitor assay revealed that NF‐κB and MAPKs are essential for B. fragilis‐induced production of CXCL1 and CCL2 in mesothelial cells. These findings suggest that TLR2 mediates immune responses in peritoneal mesothelial cells in response to B. fragilis.     

Metal allergens nickel and cobalt facilitate TLR4 homodimerization independently of MD2

Development of contact allergy requires cooperation of adaptive and innate immunity. Ni²⁺ stimulates innate immunity via TLR4/MD2, the bacterial LPS receptor. This likely involves receptor dimerization, but direct proof is pending and it is unclear if related haptens share this mechanism. We reveal Co²⁺ as second metal stimulating TLR4 and confirm necessity of H456/H458 therein. Experiments with a new TLR4 dimerization mutant established dimerization as a mechanism of metal‐ and LPS‐induced TLR4 activation. Yet, in interaction studies only LPS‐ but not metal‐induced dimerization required MD2. Consistently, soluble TLR4 expressed without MD2 inhibited metal‐ but not LPS‐induced responses, opening new therapeutic perspectives.