Role of TLR signaling in francisella tularensis-LPS-induced, antibody-mediated protection against francisella tularensis challenge

Leah E. Cole, Barbara J. Mann, Kari Ann Shirey, Katharina Richard, Yang Yang, Patricia J. Gearhart, Kirsty L. Chesko, Rose M. Viscardi, Stefanie N. Vogel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunization with Ft-LPS provokes an antigen-specific, B-1a cell-derived antibody response that protects WT mice against an otherwise lethal challenge with Ft LVS. However, this same regimen offers limited protection to TLR2 _/_ mice, despite production of WT levels of anti-Ft-LPS antibodies. As Ft-LPS exhibits no TLR2 agonist activity, and macrophage-induced cytokine production in response to Ft LVS is overwhelmingly TLR2-dependent, we hypothesized that treatment of TLR2 _/_ mice with an alternative, MyD88-dependent TLR agonist would compensate for reduced recognition of Ft LVS in TLR2 _/_ mice and thereby, restore Ft-LPS-mediated protection. Administration of the nontoxic TLR4 agonist, synthetic Escherichia coli MPL, at the time of Ft-LPS immunization or Ft LVS challenge, fully protected TLR2 _/_ mice, whereas treatment of WT or TLR2 _/_ mice with MPL alone conferred partial protection. The TLR5 agonist, flagellin, also synergized with Ft-LPS to protect TLR2 _/_ mice from lethal Ft LVS challenge. In contrast to Ft LVS, Ft-LPS pretreatment failed to protect mice against i.n. challenge with Ft Schu S4, whereas MPL, administered in the absence or presence of Ft-LPS, conferred significant, albeit partial, protection. MPL treatment of macrophages increased the uptake of Ft LVS and decreased intracellular bacterial survival while shifting the macrophage-differentiation phenotype from "alternatively activated" to "classically activated". Collectively, our data suggest that optimal, Ft-LPS-mediated protection against Ft LVS infection requires two discrete events, i.e., production of Ft- LPSspecific antibody, as well as TLR-mediated macrophage activation, to fully control Francisella infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)787-797
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology
Volume90
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adjuvants
  • Antibodies
  • B cells
  • Bacterial infection
  • Macrophage activation
  • Vaccination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

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