The molecular basis for recognition of bacterial ligands at equine TLR2, TLR1 and TLR6

TLR2 recognises bacterial lipopeptides and lipoteichoic acid, and forms heterodimers with TLR1 or TLR6. TLR2 is relatively well characterised in mice and humans, with published crystal structures of human TLR2/1/Pam3CSK4 and murine TLR2/6/Pam2CSK4. Equine TLR4 is activated by a different panel of ligands to human and murine TLR4, but less is known about species differences at TLR2. We therefore cloned equine TLR2, TLR1 and TLR6, which showed over 80% sequence identity with these receptors from other mammals, and performed a structure-function analysis. TLR2/1 and TLR2/6 from both horses and humans dose-dependently responded to lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus, with no significant species difference in EC50 at either receptor pair. The EC50 of Pam2CSK4 was the same for equine and human TLR2/6, indicating amino acid differences between the two species’ TLRs do not significantly affect ligand recognition. Species differences were seen between the responses to Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4 at TLR2/1. Human TLR2/1, as expected, responded to Pam3CSK4 with greater potency and efficacy than Pam2CSK4. At equine TLR2/1, however, Pam3CSK4 was less potent than Pam2CSK4, with both ligands having similar efficacies. Molecular modelling indicates that the majority of non-conserved ligand-interacting residues are at the periphery of the TLR2 binding pocket and in the ligand peptide-interacting regions, which may cause subtle effects on ligand positioning. These results suggest that there are potentially important species differences in recognition of lipopeptides by TLR2/1, which may affect how the horse deals with bacterial infections.     

禽Toll样受体研究进展

Toll样受体家族（Toll-like receptors,TLRs）作为一种膜表面分子,是模式识别受体（pattern recognition receptors,PRRs）的主要组分,在脊椎动物和无脊椎动物中都可识别入侵的病原体相关分子模式（pathogen associated molecular patterns,PAMPs）。通过对鸡和斑胸草雀的基因组进行比对分析,发现禽中存在10种Toll样受体,其中TLR2 a、b、3、4、5和7已经证明和哺乳动物同源;有些经过基因倍增生成两个基因,TLR1La和TLR1Lb,TLR2 a和2 b;禽TLR21可能与鱼类和两栖动物的同源;禽TLR15是禽类特有的一类受体。各种禽Toll样受体在抵御各种微生物的感染过程中发挥各自重要的作用,本文就禽Toll样受体的研究进展进行简要综述。     

Toll样受体及其对肠黏膜免疫的调节作用

Toll样受体(TLRs)是近年来备受关注的一种模式识别受体,在脊椎与非脊椎动物中具有病原体传感器的功能。TLRs对体内外特异性配体的识别是启动先天免疫的基础,并迅速增加对抗入侵病原体的保护性反应,最终激活适应性免疫。TLRs在肠道免疫对病原菌与益生菌的区分过程中发挥重要作用,同时TLRs可调控动物肠道上皮分泌抗菌肽杀灭病原菌,对肠道健康具有积极的作用。本文介绍了TLRs的种类、配体及相应的信号通路,探讨TLRs在肠道免疫调节中的关键作用。     

TLR4在妊娠异常终止中的作用机制和研究进展

Toll样受体（toll-like receptors,TLRs）作为一种病原模式识别受体在免疫反应中起着重要的作用。TLR4是最早发现的TLRs成员,它是革兰氏阴性菌胞壁成分脂多糖（lipopolysaccharide, LPS）的识别受体。LPS与TLR4在胞外结合后,通过MyD88依赖和非依赖途径引起炎症反应。TLR4在生殖道炎症反应中具有重要作用,临床上可通过对利用TLR4信号转导通路的阻断来获得治疗效果。作者概述了TLR4的分子结构、组织表达和细胞内信号转导,以及在生殖系统病变状态下的表达,在此基础上提出了TLR4在生殖临床医学应用上可能的意义。     

Expression and function of Toll-like receptor 2 in canine blood phagocytes

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of highly conserved pattern recognition receptors (PRR) of mammals that participate in the activation of innate immune responses against microbial infections. Among these receptors, TLR2 is essential for the recognition of conserved structural components of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Until now, expression of TLR2 in dogs has not been investigated. In this work we describe a partial sequence of the gene coding for canine TLR2 and show that TLR2 mRNA is constitutively expressed in canine blood PMNs. We also show that stimulation of purified PMNs with lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a ligand of TLR2, leads to the release of proinflammatory chemokine IL-8. Furthermore, TLR2 protein is easily detectable by flow cytometry on the canine peripheral blood granulocyte and monocyte cell surface, and slightly on lymphocytes. These findings suggest that, also in dogs as in humans the initial antibacterial response of PMNs could be elicited through engagement of TLR2.     

Toll-like receptor activation and expression in bovine alpha-herpesvirus infections

The involvement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in bovine herpesvirus types 1 (BoHV-1) and 5 (BoHV-5) infections has not been analyzed. In this study, the role of TLR signaling on virus replication was investigated. Blood leukocytes consistently express TLRs. Thus, our approach was to study in vitro the effects of agonist stimulation of TLRs expressed by peripheral blood leukocytes on BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 replication. Furthermore, the patterns of TLRs 3, 7–9 expression on virus-infected-bovine leukocytes were analyzed. Only Imiquimod (TLR7/8 agonist) showed anti-viral activity on infected MDBK cells. This is the first evidence that the timely activation of TLR7/8 signaling is effective in impairing BoHV-1 and 5 replication, thereby providing an experimental indication that Imiquimod may be a promising immune modulator. This work describes, for the first time, the expression patterns of TLRs in BoHV-1- or BoHV-5-infected-bovine leukocytes, suggesting the involvement of TLR7 and TLR9 in the recognition of these viruses.     

To con protection: TIR-domain containing proteins (Tcp) and innate immune evasion

The innate immune system provides the host's first line of defence against invading pathogens. Key to the stimulation of the innate immune response is pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which recognize microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Binding of MAMPs to TLRs triggers a signalling cascade resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Central to this TLR signalling pathway are heterotypic protein–protein interactions mediated through Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains found in both the cytoplasmic regions of TLRs and several key adaptor proteins. Interestingly, TIR-domain containing proteins (Tcps) do not seem to be unique to the mammalian TLR system, but occurs in abundance in many biological forms. Recent evidence suggests that pathogenic bacteria have developed a range of ingenuous strategies to evade the host immune mechanisms involving Tcps. There is increasing evidence to suggest that these pathogen-encoded Tcps interfere directly with the TLR signalling pathway and thus inhibit the activation of NF-κB, with different modes of action and roles in virulence. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the possible roles and mechanisms of action of bacterial encoded Tcp.     

Toll-like receptor expression in feline lymphoid tissues

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that activate the innate immune system. While it is clear that TLRs are important in the immune response against pathogens, they may also be exploited by some pathogens. Our objective is to determine whether feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection affects TLR expression or function thereby resulting in innate immune dysfunction. To this end, we cloned partial sequences for feline TLRs 1--3, 5--8, and developed real-time PCR assays to quantify feline TLRs 1--9. TLR expression was quantified in normal cat lymphoid tissues, purified lymphocyte subsets, and FIV-infected cell lines. Different expression patterns of TLRs were found in spleen, mesenteric lymph node, retropharyngeal lymph node, thymus, intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and lamina propria lymphocytes. B lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells all expressed TLRs 2--5, 7--9; however, the relative levels of expression varied among lymphocyte phenotypes. Infection of cell lines with FIV resulted in altered TLR expression levels that differed depending on cell type. These results demonstrate that tissue distribution of TLRs is associated with the immunological role of a particular tissue, that lymphocytes may also express these 'innate immune' receptors, and that FIV infection can alter TLR expression.     

Characterization of toll-like receptors 1–10 in spotted hyenas

Previous research has shown that spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) regularly survive exposure to deadly pathogens such as rabies, canine distemper virus, and anthrax, suggesting that they have robust immune defenses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize conserved molecular patterns and initiate a wide range of innate and adaptive immune responses. TLR genes are evolutionarily conserved, and assessing TLR expression in various tissues can provide insight into overall immunological organization and function. Studies of the hyena immune system have been minimal thus far due to the logistical and ethical challenges of sampling and preserving the immunological tissues of this and other long-lived, wild species. Tissue samples were opportunistically collected from captive hyenas humanely euthanized for a separate study. We developed primers to amplify partial sequences for TLRs 1–10, sequenced the amplicons, compared sequence identity to those in other mammals, and quantified TLR expression in lymph nodes, spleens, lungs, and pancreases. Results show that hyena TLR DNA and protein sequences are similar to TLRs in other mammals, and that TLRs 1–10 were expressed in all tissues tested. This information will be useful in the development of new assays to understand the interactions among the hyena immune system, pathogens, and the microbial communities that inhabit hyenas.     

TLR9 agonists: immune mechanisms and therapeutic potential in domestic animals

Toll like receptors (TLRs) are transmembrane glycoproteins that recognize conserved microbial molecules. Engagement of TLRs activates innate and adaptive immunity. TLR-mediated activation of immune cells results in upregulation of cytokines, chemokines and costimulatory molecules. These early innate responses control pathogen spread and initiates adaptive immune responses. Synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN), agonists for TLR9, had shown great promise as immunotherapeutic agents and vaccine adjuvants in laboratory animal models of infectious disease, allergy and cancer. However, it has become apparent that CpG ODN are less potent immune activators in domestic animals and humans. The disparity in immune responses between rodents and mammals has been mainly attributed to differences in cellular expression of TLR9 in the various species. In this article, our current understanding of the immune mechanisms, as well as the potential applications of CpG ODN will be reviewed, with particular emphasis on domestic animals.     

Toll样受体信号通路在两栖类中的研究进展

两栖类处于脊椎动物由水生向陆生进化的过渡阶段,进化地位重要。近年来因疾病的爆发、生境破碎化、环境污染、紫外辐射增加、人为过度捕捉和生物入侵等诸多因素引起的全球范围内两栖类种群数量锐减已引起人们的广泛关注。Toll样受体(Toll-like receptor,TLR)家族是一类从线虫到哺乳动物普遍存在的高度保守的模式识别受体(PRRs),可以识别侵入机体病原体的病原相关分子模式(PAMPs),是两栖类先天性免疫防御系统的重要组成部分。本文结合近些年国内外对两栖类TLRs的研究对两栖类TLRs结构特征、进化特点、在两栖类发育早期的差异表达特征和两栖类TLRs信号通路中相关分子的表达研究进行概述。目前对于两栖类TLRs的研究发现两栖类TLRs兼具鱼类和哺乳类TLRs的特征,并在从鱼类到两栖类到哺乳类的进化过程中,TLRs家族部分成员如TLR2的配体识别功能可能发生了一定程度的特化;在两栖类早期发育阶段,获得性免疫不够完善,以TLRs为主的先天免疫防御系统在抵御病原体的侵袭方面发挥了重要作用;在特定病原菌和病毒的胁迫下,可能激活了TLRs下游不同的途径参与两栖类对病原体的免疫应答反应。     

Characterization of antibodies specific for canine TLR4, 5 and 9 by ELISA, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry

Toll-like receptors recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns of microbial origin, and ligand recognition results in the production of different immune mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, interferon, reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates, and upregulation of costimmulatory molecules. As these receptors have a critical role in linking pathogen recognition to induction of inflammation and innate as well as adaptive immunity, there is tremendous interest in understanding how the tissue and cell-type expression of TLRs is regulated and its influence on the local innate immune response. While TLRs are well studied in humans and rodents, to date little is known about them in dogs. The purpose of this study was to develop canine specific antibodies against TLR2, 4, 5 and 9 that were used to measure relative expression of these TLRs in healthy and reactive canine mesenteric lymph nodes. All 8 rabbit sera (2 each for TLR2, 4, 5 and 9) were strongly positive in ELISA against the respective 2 peptides per TLR used for immunization. The purified antibodies selected specifically detected a protein band with an apparent size of approximately 70 kDa in lysates of canine PBMCs by Western blotting. Immunostaining was observed with purified antibodies against TLR4, 5 and 9, whereas for canine TLR2, staining was only observed with the unpurified antibodies. In the mesenteric lymph node of healthy dogs, the overall staining pattern was very similar for TLR4 and 5 with positive cells predominantly found in the internodular areas and lower part of the cortex. Compared to the TLR4 and 5, more cells stained positive for TLR9 especially in the lymphoid nodules. The reactive lymph nodes contained more TLR4 and 9 positive cells. Moreover, a shift of TLR-9 positive cells from the lymphoid follicles to the deep cortex and medullary cords was observed. Whereas TLR9 co-localized with CD79-positive areas, TLR4 and 5 antibodies stained cells primarily in the CD3-positive areas. All three TLR antibodies stained cells within the area that co-localized with lysozyme-positive cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the antibodies generated against canine TLR 4, 5 and 9 identify the expression of these TLRs in formalin-fixed canine lymph nodes and demonstrate increased expression in reactive canine mesenteric lymph nodes.     

Expression profiles of antiviral response genes in chicken bursal cells stimulated with Toll-like receptor ligands

Cells of the adaptive immune system express Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and are able to respond to TLR ligands. With this in mind, the goal of the current study was to determine the expression of antiviral response genes in the cells of the chicken bursa of Fabricius (BF) to stimulation with TLR ligands. We investigated initially the response of bursal B cells to CpG-ODN, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and poly(I:C) treatment. The expression level of type I interferons (IFNs) and interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) did not differ between CpG-ODN and LPS treated groups compared to the non-stimulated cells. Poly(I:C) was the only TLR ligand, which has induced significant expression of antiviral innate immune response genes from bursal cells. Further in vitro and in vivo studies need to examine the efficacy of these antiviral responses against avian viruses.     

动物Toll样受体8的免疫学功能研究进展

Toll样受体是天然免疫中最早发现的模式识别受体,是生物界最古老的免疫系统组成部分之一,在识别病原和影响免疫应答方面具有非常关键的作用。Toll样受体8(TLR8)属于Toll样受体中的TLR7/8/9亚家族,通过识别配体激活信号级联反应,导致促炎细胞因子的产生,发挥抗病毒和抗细菌感染作用。论文就TLR8的结构与活化、配体识别、细胞分布、信号通路、细胞因子产生和疾病相关性等进行简要综述,可使人们更加全面地认识TLR8,对于动物免疫系统的研究以及动物疫病的防控具有一定的参考意义。     

TLRs及其信号转导的研究进展

Toll样受体（Toll-like receptors,TLRs）介导着昆虫，植物和哺服动物的宿主防御反应。目前已经报道了9种哺乳动物的TLRs，其功能研究较为明确的是TLR2和TLR4。它们与配体相互作用，以不同的信号转导途径迅速介导细胞因子和炎性介质的表达。     

Molecular cloning and characterization of equine Toll-like receptor 9

Innate immunity relies on a series of germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), to detect conserved microbial components. TLR9 is typically expressed intracellularly in immune cells such as dendritic cells and recognizes unmethylated bacterial or viral cytosine-phosphate-guanine DNA (CpG-DNA). To investigate innate immune responses through TLR9 signaling pathway in horses, we cloned and characterized equine TLR9. Protein sequence analysis shows that equine TLR9 has a typically conserved cytosolic Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain, three leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motifs, with greater than 82% identity to human, monkey, bovine, canine, feline, porcine and ovine orthologs. Equine TLR9 mRNA expression was characterized for spleen, lymph node, and peripheral blood leukocyte samples. Flow cytometric analysis of equine TLR9 expression using a cross-reactive TLR9 mAb identified high constitutive expression of equine TLR9 in PMNs, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes as well as other leukocytes; similar to human TLR9 expression. The conservation of equine TLR9 and high expression profile in leukocytes suggests that equine TLR9 is a frequent target for unmethylated CpG-DNA, an essential mechanism for the activation of innate immunity.     

Toll-like receptor signaling is changed in ovine lymph node during early pregnancy

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in regulation of adaptive immune responses, and lymph nodes play key roles in the initiation of immune responses. There is a tolerance to the allogenic fetus during pregnancy, but it is unclear that expression of TLR signaling is in ovine lymph node during early pregnancy. In this study, lymph nodes were sampled from day 16 of nonpregnant ewes and days 13, 16, and 25 of pregnant ewes, and the expressions of TLR family (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9), adaptor proteins, including myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), and interleukin-1-receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), were analyzed through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results showed that mRNA and protein levels of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TRAF6, and MyD88 were upregulated in the maternal lymph node, but TLR5, TLR9, and IRAK1 were downregulated during early pregnancy. In addition, MyD88 protein was located in the subcapsular sinus and lymph sinuses. Therefore, it is suggested that early pregnancy induces changes in TLR signaling in maternal lymph node, which may be involved in regulation of maternal immune responses in sheep.