Developmental expression of Toll-like receptors-2 and -4 in preterm baboon lung

Preterm babies are susceptible to respiratory infection due to immature lung and immune system. Immune cells express Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which may be important in local host defense of preterm infants. We studied the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in lung tissues of fetal baboons delivered at 125, 140, and 175 days of gestation (dGA; term=185±2 days) and preterm baboons that became naturally infected with bacterial/fungal pathogens. The TLR-mRNA and protein were quantified by Northern and Western blotting, respectively. The expression of both TLRs was significantly low at 125 and 140 dGA. At 175 dGA, the levels reached equivalent to those in adult baboons. However, in naturally infected baboons, the TLR4-mRNA was reduced (p<0.05); TLR2-mRNA expression remained unaltered. The protein expression of both TLRs was found increased in naturally infected baboons. Our results suggest that the lung TLR expression is developmentally regulated and altered during respiratory infection in preterm babies.     

Role of formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1/FPR2) in mononuclear phagocyte responses in alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting approx 4 million people in the United States in the year 2000 alone. Amyloid β (Aβ) deposition, activated glial cells, and neuritic degeneration are the characteristic features of AD. Although the precise cause of AD has yet to be determined, a bulk of evidence suggests that inflammatory responses elicited by elevated Aβ peptides play an important role in the pathogenic process of the disease. In AD brain, mononuclear phagocytes (microglia) accumulate at the sites of Aβ peptide deposition. In vitro, Aβ peptides activate mononuclear phagocytes to release neurotoxic mediators. A number of cell-surface molecules have been reported to act as putative receptors for A β peptides, among which the G protein—coupled formyl peptide receptor—like 1 (FPRL1) and its mouse homolog FPR2 have been shown to be expressed by activated microglial cells and mediate the chemotactic activity of the 42 amino acid form of A β (Aβ42). FPRL1 also participates in A β42 internalization in macrophages and its cytotoxicity for neuronal cells. Therefore, FPRL1 may be involved in the inflammatory aspects of AD. This review discusses recent findings relevant to the function and regulation of FPRL1/FPR2 in mononuclear phagocytes by pro- and antiinflammatory signals and its potential as a therapeutic target in AD.     

Trichophyton rubrum conidia modulate the expression and transport of Toll-like receptor 2 in HaCaT cell

Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) represents the most important agent of dermatophytosis in humans. T. rubrum infection causes slight inflammation, and tends to be chronic and recurrent. It is suggested that T. rubrum can modulate the innate immune responses of host cells, which result in the failure of host cells to recognize T. rubrum and initiate effective immune responses. In this study we show how T. rubrum conidia modulate the expression and transport of Toll-like receptor 2 in HaCaT cell. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the surface and total expression of Toll-like receptor 2 were upregulated at the very early stage when keratinocytes were exposed to T. rubrum conidia regardless of the dose, and the upregulation of surface TLR2 was much more significant than that of total TLR2. Moreover, TLR2 expression was suppressed after upregulation in the initial stage of T. rubrum exposure, and the decrease of total TLR2 was earlier than that of surface TLR2. Our results suggest that in the early stage, TLR2 of keratinocytes were upregulated and transported to the cell surface. After then, the expression of TLR2 was suppressed by T. rubrum conidia.     

Rapid and inexpensive real-time PCR for genotyping functional polymorphisms within the Toll-like receptor -2, -4, and -9 genes

The discovery of the human Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the recognition of their pivotal role in sensing microbial pathogens during the last 5 years have resulted in a renewed appreciation of innate immunity. Due to their central role in both, triggering innate immunity as well as linking innate and adaptive immunity, genetic variations within the TLR genes, known to be associated with a variety of infectious diseases, are currently of great interest. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within TLR genes have been described and seem to be associated with susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. However, methods for genotyping SNPs within the TLR genes, e.g. direct sequencing or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, are time-consuming. In this work, we report novel real-time PCR methods for genotyping five TLR SNPs within TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-9 that have been associated with various diseases using fluorescence labeled hybridization probes and the LightCycler instrument. In addition, we provide protocols employing a standard Taq polymerase in order to reduce substantially the costs for real-time PCR.     

紫癜性肾炎患者外周血单个核细胞Toll样受体3和4的信号转导途径

背景：目前关于Toll样受体3和Toll样受体4介导的信号转导通路在紫癜性肾炎的发病机制中的作用尚不清楚。目的：分析Toll样受体3和Toll样受体4在过敏性紫癜和紫癜性肾炎发病机制中的作用。方法：选取过敏性紫癜患儿64例,分为过敏性紫癜无肾损害组36例及过敏性紫癜性肾炎组28例,另选健康儿童30例作为正常对照组。实时荧光定量PCR检测外周血单核细胞Toll样受体3、Toll样受体4、髓样分化蛋白2、髓样细胞分化因子88、白细胞介素1β、白细胞介素6、白细胞介素12 mRNA的基因相对表达量;应用流式细胞术检测外周血单核细胞Toll样受体3、Toll样受体4蛋白表达率。结果与结论：①过敏性紫癜患儿Toll样受体4 mRNA及蛋白表达显著高于正常对照组(P < 0.05)。紫癜性肾炎组Toll样受体4 mRNA及蛋白表达均显著高于紫癜无肾损害组(P < 0.05)。②过敏性紫癜组髓样分化蛋白2、髓样细胞分化因子88、白细胞介素1β、白细胞介素6 mRNA的表达均显著高于正常对照组(P < 0.05),白细胞介素12 mRNA的表达显著低于正常对照组(P < 0.05);紫癜性肾炎组髓样分化蛋白2、髓样细胞分化因子88、白细胞介素1β、白细胞介素6 mRNA的表达显著高于紫癜无肾损害组(P < 0.05),紫癜性肾炎组白细胞介素12 mRNA的表达显著低于紫癜无肾损害组(P < 0.05)。③过敏性紫癜组患儿外周血单核细胞Toll样受体4 mRNA与蛋白表达呈正相关(r=0.60,P < 0.01);过敏性紫癜患儿Toll样受体4 mRNA与髓样分化蛋白2、髓样细胞分化因子88、白细胞介素1β、白细胞介素6表达均呈正相关(P < 0.01),与白细胞介素12 mRNA表达呈负相关(r=-0.66,P < 0.01)。提示Toll样受体4可能通过髓样细胞分化因子88依赖信号转导途径介导过敏性紫癜的免疫发病机制,Toll样受体4的过度活化可能与过敏性紫癜的肾损伤有关。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：肾移植;肝移植;移植;心脏移植;组织移植;皮肤移植;皮瓣移植;血管移植;器官移植;组织工程全文链接：     

Serum amyloid A1 isoforms display different efficacy at Toll-like receptor 2 and formyl peptide receptor 2

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a major acute-phase protein and a precursor of amyloid A, the deposit of which leads to amyloidosis. Different alleles exist in SAA1, a predominant form of the human SAA gene family. Emerging evidence has shown correlations between these alleles and diseases including familiar Mediterranean fever and amyloidosis. However, it remains unclear how the proteins encoded by these SAA1 alleles act differently. Here we report the characterization of proteins encoded by SAA1.1, SAA1.3, and SAA1.5, in comparison to that encoded by SAA2.2, for their preference of the SAA receptors including formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). SAA1.1 was more efficacious than SAA1.3 and SAA1.5 but equally efficacious to SAA2.2 in calcium mobilization and chemotaxis assays, which measure the activation of the G protein-coupled FPR2. In agreement with this, SAA1.1 and SAA2.2 induced more robust phosphorylation of ERK than SAA1.3 and SAA1.5. Only small differences were observed between the SAA1 proteins tested and SAA2.2 in TLR2-dependent NF-κB luciferase reporter assay. In comparison, SAA1.3 was most effective in stimulating ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Using bone marrow-derived macrophages from C57BL/10ScN (Tlr4lps-del) mice, we examined the SAA isoforms for their induction of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. SAA1.3 was most potent in the induction of TNFα and IL-1rn, whereas SAA1.5 induced robust IL-10 expression. These results show differences of the SAA1 isoforms in their selectivity for the SAA receptors, which may affect their roles in modulating inflammation and immunity.     

TLR2及TLR4在侵袭性肺曲霉病小鼠中的表达

目的 研究Toll样受体(TLR)2和TLR4在侵袭性肺曲霉病小鼠中的表达,探讨TLR2和TLR4在侵袭性肺曲霉病中的作用. 方法 将小鼠分为3组:A组为正常对照组;B组为未免疫抑制但感染烟曲霉菌组;c组为侵袭性肺曲霉病(IPA)模型组,给予免疫抑制并感染烟曲霉菌.在感染后8、24、48和72 h时相点,处死小鼠,取肺组织,采用组织病理学方法观察肺组织的病理损伤,RT-PCR法检测肺组织各个时相点的TLR2、TLR4、TNF.ot和β-tublin的表达.TLR2、TLR4、TNF-α的PCR产物电泳条带的扫描密度值与同时扩增的β-tublin电泳条带的扫描密度值的比值用以表示TLR2、TLR4和TNF-α的相对表达水平. 结果 病理观察结果显示,对照组小鼠的肺组织结构正常;正常小鼠感染烟曲霉菌后,小鼠的肺组织有炎症细胞浸润、出血等炎症反应,但未见孢子萌芽生成菌丝;而IPA模型小鼠的肺组织病理损伤严重,可见炎症细胞浸润、肺泡塌陷伴随出血,孢子聚积并萌芽生成菌丝.8、24、48 h 3个时间点的TLR4和24、48 h两个时相点的TNF-α在IPA模型小鼠肺组织中的表达要低于烟曲霉菌感染的正常小鼠(P<0.05),而TLR2在烟曲霉菌感染的正常小鼠和IPA模型小鼠肺组织中呈现低表达,但24、72 h时相点的TLR2在IPA模型小鼠的表达要低于烟曲霉菌感染的正常小鼠(P<0.05). 结论 TLR4及其下游分子TNF-α在IPA模型小鼠肺组织中低表达,在组织病理镜检中可见肺曲霉病典型肺组织病理损伤和孢子生成菌丝.     

The use of the antimicrobial peptide piscidin (PCD)-1 as a novel anti-nociceptive agent

The antimicrobial peptide piscidin (PCD)-1 has been reported to have antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions. Here, we investigated the anti-neuropathic properties of PCD-1, in order to determine its potential as a compound to alleviate pain. Treatment with PCD-1 suppressed the inflammatory proteins COX-2 and iNOS in murine macrophage (RAW264.7) and microglial (BV2) cell lines stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For studies of the effect of PCD-1 in vivo, mononeuropathy in rats was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI), and the resulting anti-nociceptive behaviors were compared between CCI controls and CCI rats given intrathecal injections of PCD-1. Much like gabapentin, PCD-1 exerts anti-nociceptive effects against thermal hyperalgesia, with a median effective dose (ED50) of 9.5 μg in CCI rats. In CCI rats, PCD-1 exerted effects against mechanical and cold allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and weight-bearing deficits. Furthermore, CCI-mediated activation of microglia and astrocytes in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord were decreased by PCD-1. In addition, PCD-1 suppressed up-regulation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (phospho-mTOR) in CCI rats. Finally, CCI-induced down-regulation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in rats was attenuated by injection of PCD-1. Taken together, the present findings demonstrate that the marine antimicrobial peptide PCD-1 has anti-nociceptive effects, and thus may have potential for development as an alternative pain-alleviating agent.     

Use of the antimicrobial peptide Epinecidin-1 to protect against MRSA infection in mice with skin injuries

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes infections through open skin injuries, and its resistance makes treatment difficult. The antimicrobial peptide Epinecidin-1 (Epi-1) has been reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumor functions. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of Epi-1 against skin trauma-mediated MRSA infection in mice. One square centimeter of outer skin was excised from the ventral region of mice, and a lethal dose of MRSA was applied in the presence or absence of methicillin, vancomycin, or Epi-1. While untreated mice and mice treated with methicillin died within four days, mice treated with Epi-1 survived infection. Epi-1 decreased MRSA bacterial counts in the wounded region, enhanced wound closure, and increased angiogenesis at the injury site. Treatment with Epi-1 decreased serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1, and regulated the recruitment of monocytes and clearance of lymphocytes around the wounded region during healing. In conclusion, Epi-1 may be effective at treating clinical MRSA, and may enhance wound recovery when combined with collagen.     

The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 modulates the inflammatory and host defense response of human neutrophils

The human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide acts as an effector molecule of the innate immune system with direct antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. The aim of this study was to test whether the cathelicidin LL‐37 modulates the response of neutrophils to microbial stimulation. Human neutrophils were exposed to LPS, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa subsequent to incubation with LL‐37 and cytokine release was measured by ELISA. The incubation with LL‐37 significantly decreased the release of proinflammatory cytokines from stimulated human neutrophils. ROS production of neutrophils was determined by a luminometric and a flow cytometry method. The peptide induced the production of ROS and the engulfment of bacteria into neutrophils. Peritoneal mouse neutrophils isolated from CRAMP‐deficient and WT animals were treated with LPS and TNF‐α in the supernatant was measured by ELISA. Antimicrobial activity of neutrophils was detected by incubating neutrophils isolated from CRAMP‐knockout and WT mice with bacteria. Neutrophils from CRAMP‐deficient mice released significantly more TNF‐α after bacterial stimulation and showed decreased antimicrobial activity as compared to cells from WT animals. In conclusion, LL‐37 modulates the response of neutrophils to bacterial activation. Cathelicidin controls the release of inflammatory mediators while increasing antimicrobial activity of neutrophils.     

Essential roles of Toll-like receptor-4 signaling in arthritis induced by type II collagen antibody and LPS

Although bacterial LPS has been used to boost the susceptibility to antibody-induced arthritis, the mechanism of the action of LPS remains to be clarified. We investigated whether signals triggered by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 mediate the effects of LPS in the context of anti-type II collagen-induced arthritis. The mice defective in the Tlr-4 gene (Tlr-4(lps-d)) were markedly less susceptible than wild type to arthritis, as manifested in arthritic index, incidence and synovitis. Levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2, in their synovial tissue were also much lower. Serum C3 deposition through the alternative pathway and de novo synthesis of C3 were lower in the Tlr-4(lps-d) mice in the post-acute phase, pointing to an influence of TLR-4 signals on the turnover rate of complement cascades. T cells from the Tlr-4(lps-d) mice failed to proliferate in response to an auto-antigen, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI), unlike those from wild-type mice, and the serum level of GPI-specific IgG antibody was significantly lower than in the wild-type mice. Interestingly, type 2 responses, such as GPI-specific IgG1 and IL-4 production, were up-regulated in the Tlr-4(lps-d) mice. Taken together, our data suggest that the TLR-4 signaling pathway plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of auto-antibody/LPS-triggered arthritis by inducing pro-inflammatory mediators, C3 deposition, auto-antigen-specific adaptive immune responses and immune deviation between type 1 and type 2 responses.     

渗入脑内的免疫球蛋白G与外周脂多糖引起大鼠脑内Toll样受体4的表达

目的探讨从血循环中渗入到脑内的自体内源性免疫球蛋白G(IgG)对外周脂多糖(LPS)刺激引起的中枢神经系统内Toll样受体4(TLR4)表达的作用。方法将SD大鼠20只随机分为4组,每组5只。LPS+生理盐水组:腹腔注射LPS100μg/kg,6h后尾静脉给予生理盐水15μg/kg;AD组:尾静脉给予盐酸肾上腺素(AD)15μg/kg;LPS+AD组:先腹腔给予LPS,6h后静脉注射AD;对照组大鼠静脉注射生理盐水作为对照。最后一次注射后30min处死动物,取脑,分别用免疫荧光染色和RT-PCR方法检测脑内TLR4的表达。结果免疫荧光染色显示,单独给予AD的动物中IgG免疫阳性产物呈斑片状分布于脑实质。LPS+生理盐水组的IgG免疫阳性产物仅限于血管周围;在LPS+AD组,IgG渗出区域内可见TLR4免疫阳性产物与小胶质细胞标志物Iba-1共存,双标的细胞分散于脑实质及血管附近,而LPS+盐水组TLR4阳性细胞呈内皮细胞样。RT-PCR结果显示,LPS+AD组TLR4的表达显著高于LPS+生理盐水组、AD单独注射组以及生理盐水对照组。结论大鼠血循环中的IgG渗入脑内可促进外周LPS引起的脑内TLR4表达。     

Role of acetylation and charge in antimicrobial peptides based on human β‐defensin‐3

Cationic antimicrobial peptides are an evolutionarily ancient and essential element of innate immunity in higher organisms. The precise mechanism by which these peptides exert their antimicrobial activity on bacteria is not well understood. Decapeptides based on the C‐terminus of human β‐defensin‐3 were designed and evaluated to study the role of charge in defining the antimicrobial activity and selectivity of these peptides against Escherichia coli. Acetylated derivatives of these peptides were prepared in order to further evaluate how positively charged primary amines contribute to potency in these small antimicrobial peptides. These peptides enabled us to explore the relationship between net charge, charge distribution and antimicrobial activity. While the results indicate that net charge is a major factor in antimicrobial activity in these peptides, the actual relationship between charge and potency appears to be more complex.     

TLR2和TLR4在人慢性根尖周病组织肥大细胞上的表达

 目的: 观察人不同类型慢性根尖周病组织中肥大细胞(mast cells,MCs)上Toll样受体2(Toll-like receptor 2,TLR2)和TLR4的表达情况,探讨TLR2-类胰蛋白酶(tryptase)和TLR4-tryptase双阳性MCs在慢性根尖周疾病发病机制中的作用。方法: 将60例自愿参与本研究的受试者按根尖周病分类标准分为3组:(1)正常对照组;(2)根尖周肉芽肿组;(3)根尖周囊肿组。将根尖周组织标本置于4%甲醛固定液中浸泡48 h以上,制作连续组织切片。HE染色,光学显微镜下观察各组根尖周标本的组织学变化;免疫荧光双染色后于荧光显微镜下观察TLR2-tryptase和TLR4-tryptase双阳性MCs在根尖周组织中的分布情况。结果: 根尖周病变组TLR2-tryptase和TLR4-tryptase双阳性MCs比正常牙周膜组明显增多(P<0.01);与根尖肉芽肿组相比,根尖囊肿组TLR2-tryptase及TLR4-tryptase双阳性MCs数目明显增高(P<0.01)。结论: TLR2及TLR4在慢性根尖周疾病组织中MCs上表达增加,提示TLR2-tryptase及TLR4-tryptase双阳性MCs可能参与慢性根尖周病发病过程的免疫调节。     

Arg753Gln polymorphism of the human Toll-like receptor 2 gene from infection to disease in pediatric tuberculosis

The aim of this study is to examine the occurrence of the Arg753Gln polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene in Turkish children with pulmonary and/or extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease compared with that in healthy children with latent TB infection (LTBI) and to assess the risk of progression from LTBI to active TB disease in children. The Arg753Gln polymorphism of the TLR2 gene was studied in 198 TB patients compared with 200 ethnically and age-matched children with LTBI. The culture confirmed TB patients were more frequently Arg753Gln heterozygous [odds ratio (OR) 5.05, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.61-9.76, p = 0.00], and Gln allele frequency was significantly higher in the patient group (13.86% vs 3.5%, OR 4.40, 95% CI 2.34-8.30, p = 0.00). We also showed that the frequencies of the heterozygous Arg753Gln genotype and the Gln allele were significantly higher in patients with pulmonary TB alone and in patients with definitive pulmonary plus extrapulmonary TB than in children with LTBI. Our data suggest that the Arg753Gln polymorphism of the TLR-2 gene influences the speed of progression from infection to TB disease in children. Further investigations are needed to clarify whether this polymorphism has a strong impact on susceptibility to TB in children.     

SNP genotyping in the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor by electronic microchip assay,DHPLC, and direct sequencing

 The β₂-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) is the key target for the β₂-agonist drugs used for bronchodilation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To detect four SNPs with amino acid variations at positions −47T/C (CysBUP19Arg), 46A/G (Gly16Arg), 79C/G (Gln27Glu), and 491C/T (Thr164Ile) in the β2AR gene, we used the electronic microchip assay, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), and direct sequencing. Genomic DNA samples were obtained from the blood of 84 Japanese healthy volunteers. The agreement rates of the first data set with the final data (allele calls) were 99.7% (332/333), 99.2% (246/248), and 96.7% (329/340). The percentages of no allele designation (ND) were 2.06% (7/340), 2.75% (7/255), and 0.00% (0/340) for the electronic microchip assay, DHPLC, and direct sequencing, respectively. Furthermore, we found three samples that had a novel haplotype. Received: March 7, 2002 / Accepted: June 10, 2002     

TOLL样受体在皮肤中的表达和功能

Toll样受体在皮肤角质形成细胞、树突状细胞、成纤维细胞和肥大细胞中都有表达,但表达的种类有明显区别.不同细胞的同一Toll受体激活后引起的反应亦有所不同.Toll样受体与其相应的配体结合可以诱导细胞产生多种炎症因子和抗菌肽,在皮肤介导的固有免疫和炎症反应中有重要作用.