• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 2007

TLR4 together with CD14 and MD-2 forms a pattern recognition receptor that plays an initiating role in the innate immune response to Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we employed the surface plasmon resonance technique to investigate the kinetics of binding of LPS to recombinant CD14, MD-2 and TLR4 proteins produced in insect cells. The dissociation constants ($K_D$) of LPS for immobilized CD14 and MD-2 were $8.7{\mu}m$, and $2.3{\mu}m$, respectively. The association rate constant ($K_{on}$) of LPS for MD-2 was $5.61{\times}10^3M^{-1}S^{-1}$, and the dissociation rate constant ($K_{off}$) was $1.28{\times}10^2S^{-1}$, revealing slow association and fast dissociation with an affinity constant $K_D$ of $2.33{\times}10^6M$ at $25^{\circ}C$. These affinities are consistent with the current view that CD14 conveys LPS to the TLR4/MD-2 complex.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2013

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well-known pattern recognition receptors. Among the 13 TLRs, TLR2 is the most known receptor for immune response. It activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are counterbalanced by MAPK phosphatases [MKPs or dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs)]. However, the regulatory mechanism of DUSPs is still unclear. In this study, the effect of a TLR2 ligand (TLR2L, Pam3CSK4) on DUSP4 expression in Raw264.7 cells was demonstrated. Methods: A Raw264.7 mouse macrophage cell line was cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics (100 U/mL penicillin and 100 g/mL streptomycin) at $37^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$. TLR2L (Pam3CSK4)-mediated DUSP4 expressions were confirmed with RT-PCR and western blot analysis. In addition, the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured with lucigenin assay. Results: Pam3CSK4 induced the expression of DUSP1, 2, 4, 5 and 16. The DUSP4 expression was also increased by TLR4 and 9 agonists (lipopolysaccharide and CpG ODN, respectively). Pam3CSK4 also induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and ROS production, and the Pam3CSK4-induced DUSP4 expression was decreased by ERK1/2 (U0126) and ROS (DPI) inhibitors. U0126 suppressed the ROS production by Pam3CSK4. Conclusion: Pam3CSK4-mediated DUSP4 expression is regulated by ERK1/2 and ROS. This finding suggests the physiological importance of DUSP4 in TLR2-mediated immune response.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.679-684
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• 2016

Clonorchiasis, caused by direct contact with Clonorchis sinensis worms and their excretory-secretory products (ESPs), is associated with chronic inflammation, malignant changes in bile ducts, and even cholangiocarcinogenesis. Our previous report revealed that intracellular free radicals enzymatically generated by C. sinensis ESPs cause NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated inflammation in human cholangiocarcinoma cells (HuCCT1). Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the role of upstream Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on the initial host innate immune responses to infection. We found that treatment of HuCCT1 cells with native ESPs induced changes in TLR mRNA levels in a time-dependent manner, concomitant with the generation of free radicals. ESP-mediated free radical generation was markedly attenuated by preincubation of the cells with TLR1-4-neutralizing antibodies, indicating that at least TLR1 through 4 participate in stimulation of the host innate immune responses. These findings indicate that free radicals triggered by ESPs are critically involved in TLR signal transduction. Continuous signaling by this pathway may function in initiating C. sinensis infection-associated inflammation cascades, a detrimental event leading to progression to more severe hepatobiliary diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1213-1227
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• 2023

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a prevalent obstetric condition. This study aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in regulating the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR. An FGR animal model was established in rats, and ODN1668 and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were administered. Changes in gut microbiota structure were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. HTR-8/Svneo cells were treated with ODN1668 and HCQ to evaluate cell growth. Histopathological analysis was performed, and relative factor levels were measured. The results showed that FGR rats exhibited elevated levels of TLR9 and myeloid differentiating primary response gene 88 (MyD88). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TLR9 inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion. TLR9 upregulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS-binding protein (LBP), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α while downregulating IL-10. TLR9 activated the TARF3-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed HCQ reduced inflammation in FGR rats, and the relative cytokine expression followed a similar trend to that observed in vitro. TLR9 stimulated neutrophil activation. HCQ in FGR rats resulted in changes in the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group at the family level and the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Bacteroides at the genus level. TLR9 and associated inflammatory factors were correlated with Bacteroides, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group. FMT from FGR rats interfered with the therapeutic effects of HCQ. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TLR9 regulates the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of FGR and suggesting potential therapeutic interventions.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2023

Autophagy contributes to enhancing the immune system (innate and adaptive immune system) against foreign pathogens. Autophagy of macrophages is used as a major indicator for developing vaccine adjuvants to increase the adaptive immune response. In this study, HSL increased p62/SQSTM1 expression. Inhibition of TLR4, p38, JNK, and NF-κB blocked HSL-mediated increase of p62/SQSTM1. HSL activated p38, JNK, and NF-κB signaling, but HSL-mediated activation of p38, JNK, and NF-κB signaling was reversed by TLR4 inhibition. In addition, HSL increased Nrf2 expression, but HSL-mediated Nrf2 expression did not occur in the inhibition of TLR4, p38, JNK, and NF-κB. Taken together, it is believed that HSL-mediated autophagy may be dependent on activating Nrf2 expression via TLR4-dependent activation of p38, JNK, and NF-κB in macrophages.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.942-948
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• 2021

Canine influenza virus (CIV) induces acute respiratory disease in dogs. In this study, we aimed to determine the signaling pathways leading to the induction of IFN-β in a canine respiratory epithelial cell line (KU-CBE) infected with the H3N2 subtype of CIV. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specific to pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and transcription factors were used to block the IFN-β induction signals in H3N2 CIV-infected KU-CBE cells. Among the PRRs, only the TLR3 and RIG-I expression levels significantly (p < 0.001) increased in CIV-infected cells. Following transfection with siRNA specific to TLR3 (siTLR3) or RIG-I (siRIG-I), the mRNA expression levels of IFN-β significantly (p < 0.001) decreased, and the protein expression of IFN-β also decreased in infected cells. In addition, co-transfection with both siTLR3 and siRIG-I significantly reduced IRF3 (p < 0.001) and IFN-β (p < 0.001) mRNA levels. Moreover, the protein concentration of IFN-β was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in cells co-transfected with both siTLR3 and siRIG-I than in cells transfected with either siTLR3 or siRIG-I alone. Also, the antiviral protein MX1 was only expressed in KU-CBE cells infected with CIV or treated with IFN-β or IFN-α. Thus, we speculate that IFN-β further induces MX1 expression, which might suppress CIV replication. Taken together, these data indicate that TLR3 and RIG-I synergistically induce IFN-β expression via the activation of IRF3, and the produced IFN-β further induces the production of MX1, which would suppress CIV replication in CIV-infected cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.77-82
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• 2008

Innate immune response is initiated by the recognition of unique microbial molecular patterns through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The purpose of this study is to dissect the expression of various PRRs in gingival epithelial cells of differentiated versus undifferentiated states. Differentiation of immortalized human gingival epithelial HOK-16B cells was induced by culture in the presence of high $Ca^{2+}$ at increased cell density. The expression levels of various PRRs in HOK-16B cells were examined by realtime reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and flow cytometry. In addition, the expression of human beta defensins (HBDs) was examined by real time RT-PCR and the amounts of secreted cytokines were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In undifferentiated HOK-16B cells, NACHT-LRR-PYDcontaining protein (NALP) 2 was expressed most abundantly, and toll like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) 1, and NOD2 were expressed in substantial levels. However, TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, ICE protease-activating factor (IPAF), and NALP6 were hardly expressed. In differentiated cells, the levels of NOD2, NALP2, and TLR4 were different from those in undifferentiated cells at RNA but not at protein levels. Interestingly, differentiated cells expressed the increased levels of HBD-1 and -3 but secreted reduced amount of IL-8. In conclusion, the repertoire of PRRs expressed by gingival epithelial cells is limited, and undifferentiated and differentiated cells express similar levels of PRRs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.461-465
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• 2015

Microglia, the resident macrophages in the central nervous system, can rapidly respond to pathological insults. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a pattern recognition receptor that plays a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. Although many previous studies have suggested that TLR2 contributes to microglial activation and subsequent pathogenesis following brain tissue injury, it is still unclear whether TLR2 has a role in microglia dynamics in the resting state or in immediate-early reaction to the injury in vivo. By using in vivo two-photon microscopy imaging and $Cx3cr1^{GFP/+}$ mouse line, we first monitored the motility of microglial processes (i.e. the rate of extension and retraction) in the somatosensory cortex of living TLR2-KO and WT mice; Microglial processes in TLR2-KO mice show the similar motility to that of WT mice. We further found that microglia rapidly extend their processes to the site of local tissue injury induced by a two-photon laser ablation and that such microglial response to the brain injury was similar between WT and TLR2-KO mice. These results indicate that there are no differences in the behavior of microglial processes between TLR2-KO mice and WT mice when microglia is in the resting state or encounters local injury. Thus, TLR2 might not be essential for immediate-early microglial response to brain tissue injury in vivo.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.49.1-49.15
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• 2022

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could protect against myocardial infarction (MI). TLR4 is reported to play an important role in MI, while microRNA-182-5p (miR-182-5p) negatively regulates TLR4 expression. Therefore, we hypothesize that MSCs-derived exosomes overexpressing miR-182-5p may have beneficial effects on MI. We generated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and overexpressed miR-182-5p in these cells for exosome isolation. H₂O₂-stimulated neonatal mouse ventricle myocytes (NMVMs) and MI mouse model were employed, which were subjected to exosome treatment. The expression of inflammatory factors, heart function, and TLR4 signaling pathway activation were monitored. It was found that miR-182-5p decreased TLR4 expression in BM-MSCs and NMVMs. Administration of exosomes overexpressing miR-182-5p to H₂O₂-stimulated NMVMs enhanced cell viability and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, they promoted heart function, suppressed inflammatory responses, and de-activated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in MI mice. In conclusion, miR-182-5p transferred by the exosomes derived from BM-MSCs protected against MI-induced impairments by targeting TLR4.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Toll-like receptor (TLR) family proteins, type I transmembrane proteins, play a central role in human innate immune response by recognizing common structural patterns in diverse molecules from bacteria, viruses and fungi. Recently four structures of the TLR and ligand complexes have been determined by high resolution x-ray crystallographic technique. In this review we summarize reported structures of TLRs and their proposed activation mechanisms. The structures demonstrate that binding of agonistic ligands to the extracellular domains of TLRs induces homo- or heterodimerization of the receptors. Dimerization of the TLR extracellular domains brings their two C-termini into close proximity. This suggests a plausible mechanism of TLR activation: ligand induces dimerization of the extracellular domains, which enforces juxtaposition of intracellular signaling domains for recruitment of intracellular adaptor proteins for signal initiation.