Aspergillus fumigatus antigens activate immortalized human corneal epithelial cells via toll-like receptors 2 and 4.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 in host responses to Aspergillus fumigatus by use of cultured telomerase-immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs).


METHODS
HCECs were stimulated with inactive antigens from A. fumigatus. The expression of TLR2 and TLR4, phosphorylation of Ikappa B-alpha (pIkappa B-alpha), and release of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 was measured with and without inhibitors to TLR2 and TLR4.


RESULTS
Exposure of HCECs to A. fumigatus antigens resulted in up-regulation of TLR2 and TLR4, activation of pIkappa B, and release of IL-1beta and IL-6 in HCECs, effects that could be inhibited by treatment with TLR2 and TLR4 antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
TLR2 and TLR4-nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways in corneal epithelium play important roles in inflammatory responses against A. fumigatus antigens.
Zhao
Jie
J
Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Wu
Xin-Yi
XY
D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; C000606204:NFKBIA protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha