TLR2 is expressed on activated T cells as a costimulatory receptor

Komai-Koma, M., Jones, L., Ogg, G., Xu, D. and Liew, F. (2004) TLR2 is expressed on activated T cells as a costimulatory receptor. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101, pp. 3029-3034. (doi: 10.1073/pnas.0400171101)

Abstract

Toll is the founder of a group of pattern recognition receptors that play a critical role in the innate immunity in Drosophila. At least 10 distinct Toll-like receptors (TLRs), recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns, have now been identified in humans. Most investigations on TLRs have focused on cells of the innate system. We report here that naïve human T cells expressed high levels of cell-surface TLR2 after activation by anti-T cell receptor antibody and IFN-α. Activated cells produced elevated levels of cytokines in response to the TLR2 ligand, bacterial lipopeptide. Furthermore, CD4+CD45RO+ memory T cells from peripheral blood constitutively expressed TLR2 and produced IFN-γ in response to bacterial lipopeptide, which also markedly enhanced the proliferation and IFN-γ production by CD45RO+ T cells in the presence of IL-2 or IL-15. Thus, TLR2 serves as a costimulatory receptor for antigen-specific T cell development and participates in the maintenance of T cell memory. This suggests that pathogens, via their pathogen-associated molecular patterns, may contribute directly to the perpetuation and activation of long-term T cell memory in both antigen-dependent and independent manner.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Liew, Prof Foo and Xu, Dr Damo and Komai-Koma, Dr Mousa
• Authors: Komai-Koma, M., Jones, L., Ogg, G., Xu, D., and Liew, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
• Publisher: National Academy of Sciences
• ISSN: 0027-8424
• ISSN (Online): 1091-6490