title: Microbial DNA induces a host defense reaction of human respiratory epithelial cells.
abstract: Epithelial cells represent the initial site of bacterial colonization in the respiratory tract. TLR9 has been identified in B cells and CD 123(+) dendritic cells and found to be involved in the recognition of microbial DNA. It was the aim of the study to investigate the role of TLR9 in the host defense reactions of the respiratory epithelium. Respiratory epithelial cell lines (IHAEo(-), Calu-3) or fully differentiated primary human cells as air-liquid interface cultures were stimulated with bacterial DNA or synthetic oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG oligodeoxynucleotides). Expression of TLR9, cytokines, and human beta-defensin 2 was determined by quantitative RT-PCR or by ELISA. We found that TLR9 is expressed by respiratory epithelial cell lines and fully differentiated primary epithelial cells at low levels. Stimulation of the above-mentioned cells with bacterial DNA or CpG oligodeoxynucleotide resulted in an inflammatory reaction characterized by a dose-dependent up-regulation of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) and human beta-defensin 2. Up-regulation of NF-kappaB in epithelial cells in response to the CpG motif containing DNA was inhibited by overexpression of a dominant negative form of MyD88. These results provide clear evidence that the human respiratory epithelium is capable of detecting microbial DNA by TLR9. The respiratory epithelium has an important function in triggering innate immune responses and therefore represents an interesting target for anti-inflammatory therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division for Pulmonary Diseases, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Platz
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beisswenger
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalpke
authors.forename: Rembert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koczulla
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pinkenburg
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vogelmeier
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bals
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C507779:MYD88 protein, human; D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; C495371:TLR9 protein, human; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9; D004247:DNA