Activation Of Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling Research Articles

Peroxidized unsaturated fatty acids stimulate Toll-like receptor 4 signaling in endothelial cells

AimAlthough unsaturated fatty acids are assumed to be protective against inflammatory disorders that include a pathway involving Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation, they might actually be toxic because of their high susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Here we studied the effects of peroxidized unsaturated fatty acids on the TLR4–nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway in endothelial cells. Main methodsConfluent cultured endothelial cells from bovine aorta were incubated for 1h with fatty acids integrated into phosphatidylcholine vesicles. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phosphatidylcholine vesicles without fatty acids were also applied as a positive control or a control for fatty acid groups, respectively. Activation of TLR4 and downstream signaling was assessed by membrane fractionation and Western blotting or immunofluorescent staining. Key findingsIn the same way as LPS, application of sufficiently peroxidized unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid or docosahexaenoic acid, acutely caused TLR4 translocation to caveolae/raft membranes, leading to activation of NF-κB signaling in endothelial cells. In contrast, saturated fatty acids did not show such effects. Applying well-peroxidized unsaturated fatty acids, but not saturated fatty acids, acutely activates the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. SignificancePeroxidation of unsaturated fatty acid is essential for the acute activation of TLR4 by the fatty acids that follow the same pathway as the activation by LPS. Unsaturated fatty acids have been assumed to be protective against inflammatory disorders, and drugs containing unsaturated fatty acids are now developed and provided. Our result suggests that, for inflammatory disorders involving TLR4 signaling, using unsaturated fatty acids as anti-inflammatory drugs may cause contrary effects.

The role of the TLR4 signaling pathway in cognitive deficits following surgery in aged rats

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), common in elderly patients, refers to a decline in cognitive function following surgery, which may persist or even evolve into Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite great efforts, the mechanism of POCD remains unclear. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on microglia contributes to POCD. Shortly after surgery, aged rats demonstrated significant deficits in memory and learning, accompanied by the activation of microglia, marked upregulation of TLR4 on microglia in the hippocampus, as well as an increased expression of two downstream factors [myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β)]. With an increase in time following surgery, the expression of TLR4 and the aforementioned factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines gradually returned to normal, as did the cognitive function of the aged rats. In conclusion, our study suggests that the activation of TLR4 signaling on microglia may act as an underlying mechanism of POCD.

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids attenuate hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by modulating toll-like receptor recruitment into lipid rafts

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury may activate innate immunity through the interaction of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) with endogenous ligands. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) exert suppressive effects on innate immunity through various mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with ω-3 PUFAs on hepatic I/R in rats. Three groups of Wistar male rats were fed a standard diet with water, and fish oil as ω-3 PUFAs, or soybean oil as ω-6 PUFAs for 7 days. Subsequently, the rats underwent normothermic, 60min, partial liver ischemia followed by 6h of reperfusion. The activation of TLR4 signaling was evaluated using membrane lipid raft isolation. After the 6h of reperfusion, histopathologic alterations, serum ALT levels, TLR4-mediated inflammation were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemical study. The damage of liver from I/R was diminished by dietary fish oil supplementation. Administration of fish oil inhibited TLR4 receptor recruitment into lipid rafts of cell membrane in liver tissues, which is an initial step required for activation of the downstream signaling pathway. Down-regulation of TLR4-mediated signaling reduced NF-κB activation and consequently, improved I/R injury. Dietary ω-3 PUFAs supplementation attenuated hepatic I/R injury and could be considered as a nutritional therapeutic aimed at ameliorating I/R injury.

Adolescent morphine exposure affects long-term microglial function and later-life relapse liability in a model of addiction.

Adolescence in humans represents a unique developmental time point associated with increased risk-taking behavior and experimentation with drugs of abuse. We hypothesized that exposure to drugs of abuse during adolescence may increase the risk of addiction in adulthood. To test this, rats were treated with a subchronic regimen of morphine or saline in adolescence, and their preference for morphine was examined using conditioned place preference (CPP) and drug-induced reinstatement in adulthood. The initial preference for morphine did not differ between groups; however, rats treated with morphine during adolescence showed robust reinstatement of morphine CPP after drug re-exposure in adulthood. This effect was not seen in rats pretreated with a subchronic regimen of morphine as adults, suggesting that exposure to morphine specifically during adolescence increases the risk of relapse to drug-seeking behavior in adulthood. We have previously established a role for microglia, the immune cells of the brain, and immune molecules in the risk of drug-induced reinstatement of morphine CPP. Thus, we examined the role of microglia within the nucleus accumbens of these rats and determined that rats exposed to morphine during adolescence had a significant increase in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA and protein expression specifically on microglia. Morphine binds to TLR4 directly, and this increase in TLR4 was associated with exaggerated morphine-induced TLR4 signaling and microglial activation in rats previously exposed to morphine during adolescence. These data suggest that long-term changes in microglial function, caused by adolescent morphine exposure, alter the risk of drug-induced reinstatement in adulthood.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 inhibits LPS-induced AKT activation in FLT3-ITD-positive MV4-11 AML cells

The aim of the study was to investigate the activation of the PI3K/AKT (phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase) pathway after stimulation of TLR-4 (Toll-like receptor 4) with LPS (lipopolysaccharide) in FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication)-positive AML (acute myeloid leukemia) cells. TRAF6 (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is critically involved in TLR-signaling. Based on the observation that TRAF6 might play a role in AKT phosphorylation, we hypothesized that TRAF6 can enhance the constitutive FLT3-ITD-driven activation of AKT after LPS stimulation. Human MV4-11 FLT3-ITD cells were silenced for TRAF6 by stable shRNA expression. Western blotting was used to analyze signal transduction by detection of phosphorylated proteins. LPS-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway was ensured by the induction of IκBα expression. To evaluate a potential functional role of TRAF6, we also performed chemosensitivity assays. In MV4-11 cells, AKT was activated in response to LPS treatment. Surprisingly, shRNA-mediated knockdown of TRAF6 resulted in a significant increase in basal AKT phosphorylation. By LPS stimulation, the gain of AKT phosphorylation was more pronounced in the TRAF6 knockdown cell line than in the control. In addition, the concentration-dependent induction of apoptosis in response to treatment with the cytostatic drugs cytarabine or daunorubicin was significantly reduced in TRAF6-depleted MV4-11 cells. Our data strongly suggest that the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 plays an important functional role in signal transduction and survival of AML cells. We hypothesize that LPS-mediated stimulation of TLR-4 leads to the induction of NF-κB-mediated signaling. However, TRAF6 might prevent a synergistic activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway after activation of TLR-4 signaling in FLT3-ITD-positive cells.

HMGB1-mediated activation of TLR4 signaling in hepatic stellate cells

To determine the potential of the high mobility group box-1 protein 1 (HMGB1) to activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and investigate the subsequent transition of HSC towards the inflammatory phenotype. Three immortalized mouse HSC cell lines, wild-type (JS1), TLR4-/- (JS2) and MyD88-/- (JS3), were subcultured in plates and divided into groups of normal control (untreated), postive control (lipopolysaccaride, LPS treatment), and experimental (HMGB1 treatment). All groups were transfected with luciferase reporter plasmids carrying responsive elements for either the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) or activator protein-1 AP-1 transcription factors. Following stimulation with normal saline, LPS (100 ng/mL) or HMGB1 (100 ng/mL), the activation of NF-kB or AP-1 was detected by a dual-luciferase reporter assay system. The induction of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) transcription was determined by measuring the mRNA levels using real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The secreted protein levels of MCP-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of the culture supernatants. Activation of NF-kB- and AP-1-responsive reporters was significantly up-regulated in JS1 cells treated with HMGB1 or LPS, and the activation was coincident with markedly up-regulated transcription and secretion of MCP-1. However, HMGB1 and LPS treatment produced no responsive of the NF-kB and AP-1 reporters, and no increase in expression or secretion of MCP-1, in JS2 or JS3 cells. As an endogeous ligand of TLR4, HMGB1 may activate TLR4 signaling and the TLR4-mediated inflammatory response of HSC.

Activation of inflammatory responses in human U937 macrophages by particulate matter collected from dairy farms: an in vitro expression analysis of pro-inflammatory markers

BackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to investigate activation of inflammatory markers in human macrophages derived from the U937 cell line after exposure to particulate matter (PM) collected on dairy farms in California and to identify the most potent components of the PM.MethodsPM from different dairies were collected and tested to induce an inflammatory response determined by the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes, such as Interleukin (IL)-8, in U937 derived macrophages. Gel shift and luciferase reporter assays were performed to examine the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR4).ResultsMacrophage exposure to PM derived from dairy farms significantly activated expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including IL-8, cyclooxygenase 2 and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which are hallmarks of inflammation. Acute phase proteins, such as serum amyloid A and IL-6, were also significantly upregulated in macrophages treated with PM from dairies. Coarse PM fractions demonstrated more pro-inflammatory activity on an equal-dose basis than fine PM. Urban PM collected from the same region as the dairy farms was associated with a lower concentration of endotoxin and produced significantly less IL-8 expression compared to PM collected on the dairy farms.ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that the endotoxin components of the particles collected on dairies play a major role in mediating an inflammatory response through activation of TLR4 and NF-κB signaling.

Nuclear Factor High-mobility Group Box1 Mediating the Activation of Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling in Hepatocytes in the Early Stage of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

One of the challenges surrounding nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is to discover the mechanisms that underlie the initiation of it. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in liver parenchymal cells during the early stage of NAFLD. Male TLR4-wildtype, TLR4-knockout, TLR2-knockout, MyD88-knockout, and TRIF-knockout mice were fed a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD). Liver steatosis, alanine aminotrans-ferase levels, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (P65), macrophage accumulation, and neutrophil infiltration were assessed. Using Kupffer cell depletion or bone-marrow transplantation, we examined the potential role of Kupffer cells and myeloid infiltrating cells during the initiation of NAFLD. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were implemented to determine the release of high-mobility group box1 (HMGB1). The neutral antibody against HMGB1 was used to block the activity of free HMGB1. Here, we report that the activation of TLR4 signaling in hepatocytes, accompanied with the relocation of P65 in nucleus, was proven to play an important role during the initiation of NAFLD. Importantly, HMGB1 releasing from hepatocytes in response to free fatty acid (FFA) infusion was first reported as the key molecule for the TLR4/MyD88 activation and cytokines expression in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with neutralizing antibody to HMGB1 protects against FFA-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 production. Conclusion: Our study supports the notion that TLR4/MyD88 signaling in liver parenchymal cells plays a pivotal role during the early progression of HFD-induced NAFLD, in which free HMGB1 served as a positive component mediating TLR4 activation.

Nuclear factor high-mobility group box1 mediating the activation of toll-like receptor 4 signaling in hepatocytes in the early stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

One of the challenges surrounding nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is to discover the mechanisms that underlie the initiation of it. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in liver parenchymal cells during the early stage of NAFLD. Male TLR4-wildtype, TLR4-knockout, TLR2-knockout, MyD88-knockout, and TRIF-knockout mice were fed a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD). Liver steatosis, alanine aminotransferase levels, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (p65), macrophage accumulation, and neutrophil infiltration were assessed. Using Kupffer cell depletion or bone marrow transplantation, we examined the potential role of Kupffer cells and myeloid infiltrating cells during the initiation of NAFLD. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were implemented to determine the release of high-mobility group box1 (HMGB1). The neutral-antibody against HMGB1 was used to block the activity of free HMGB1. Here we report that the activation of TLR4 signaling in hepatocytes, accompanied with the relocation of P65 in nucleus, was proven to play an important role during the initiation of NAFLD. Importantly, HMGB1 releasing from hepatocytes in response to free fatty acid (FFA) infusion was first reported as the key molecule for the TLR4/MyD88 activation and cytokines expression in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with neutralizing antibody to HMGB1 protects against FFA-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 production. Our study supports the notion that TLR4/MyD88 signaling in liver parenchymal cells plays a pivotal role during the early progression of HFD-induced NAFLD, in which free HMGB1 served as a positive component mediating TLR4 activation.

Hypoxia Activates Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling in Primary Mouse Hepatocytes Through the Receptor Clustering within Lipid Rafts

Purpose: Transient hypoxia is an initial event that accentuates ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the liver. Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is largely related to innate immunity via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. However, the mechanism by which hypoxia could lead to activate TLR4 signaling remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this experimental study investigates how TLR4 signalling is activated by hypoxia. Methods: Hepatocytes were isolated from male wild-type (C57BL/6) mice (8∼12 weeks old) by an in situ collagenase (Type Ⅳ, Sigma-Aldrich) perfusion technique. In this study, using primary mouse hepatocytes in culture to 1% oxygen, detection of TLR4 translocation to the lipid rafts on the cell membrane by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting was saught. Results: Hypoxia caused TLR4/MD2 and β2-Integrin (CD11b/CD18) translocation to lipid rafts associated with CD14 in hepatocytes. The cholesterol sequestering agent, Nystatin and Filipin prevented hypoxia-induced TLR4/MD2 translocation to lipid rafts. Consistent with a role for oxidative stress in this effect, in vitro H2O2 treatment of hepatocytes similarly caused TLR4/MD2 translocation to lipid rafts. In addition, translocation of hypoxia-induced TLR4 complex was inhibited by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) demonstrating that the activation of TLR4 signaling is dependent on ROS. Further, the cholesterol sequestering agent, nystatin, prevented hypoxia-induced high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release in hepatocytes. Conclusion: These results suggest that ROS dependent TLR4 signaling is achieved following receptor translocation to the lipid raft in hepatocytes. We hypothesized that this mechanism is required for the release of HMGB1, an early mediator of injury and inflammation in hepatic I/R injury.

Regulation of TLR4-induced IL-6 response in bladder cancer cells by opposing actions of MAPK and PI3K signaling

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was found to be aberrantly expressed in bladder cancer, inducing some genes expression and facilitating tumor progression. Recent data suggest that tumor associated Interleukin-6 (IL-6) correlates with tumor size and grade in bladder cancer. However, the molecule mechanisms of the induction of IL-6 response in bladder cancer cells are not well elucidated. In this study, we manage to find out whether TLR4 signaling is involved in the production of IL-6 by human bladder cancer cells, and the detailed molecule mechanisms by which IL-6 is up-regulated. We selected human bladder cancer T24 cell line in the present study, and examined its expression of TLR4 and CD14 by using flow cytometry. TLR4 signaling was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IL-6 secretion in culture supernatants was tested by using ELISA kit. The expression of p38, ERK, JNK and Akt were determined by western-blot analysis using specific antibodies. Our study demonstrated that CD14 and TLR4 were constitutively expressed in T24 cells and activation of TLR4 signaling by LPS resulted in phosphorylation of MAPK and PI3K pathways and up-regulation of IL-6 in dose- and time-dependent manner. Pretreatment of cells with SB203580 (inhibitor of p38) and PD98059 (inhibitor of ERK) attenuated LPS-induced IL-6 expression, whereas LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K) markedly amplified the LPS-stimulated synthesis of IL-6. Our results demonstrate that activation of TLR4 signaling in bladder cancer cells induces tumor-associated IL-6 expression via activation of p38 and ERK, whereas activation of PI3K/Akt exerts an opposing action.

TLR4 Signaling Induces B7-H1 Expression Through MAPK Pathways in Bladder Cancer Cells

TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) and B7-H1, which were known to be restricted to immune cells in the past, were found to be aberrantly expressed in a majority of tumor cells, facilitating tumor evasion from immune surveillance. Our study demonstrated that activation of TLR4 signaling in bladder cancer cells up-regulated B7-H1 expression. Furthermore, this regulation was significantly attenuated by ERK or JNK inhibitor. Our results elucidated the molecule mechanism of regulation of B7-H1 expression through TLR4 signaling and may suggest new strategies of down-regulating the cancer-associated B7-H1 expression for bladder cancer treatment.