Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in host defence against invading pathogens, functioning as primary sensors of microbial products and activating signalling pathways that induce the expression of immune and pro-inflammatory genes. However, TLRs have also been implicated in several immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases. As the immune system needs to constantly strike a balance between activation and inhibition to avoid detrimental and inappropriate inflammatory responses, TLR signalling must be tightly regulated. Here, we discuss the various negative regulatory mechanisms that have evolved to attenuate TLR signalling to maintain this immunological balance.

The recognition of microbial pathogens by the innate immune system involves Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Different TLRs recognize different pathogen-associated molecular patterns, with TLR-4 mediating the response to lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria. All TLRs have a Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain, which is responsible for signal transduction. MyD88 is one such protein that contains a TIR domain. It acts as an adapter, being involved in TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-9 signalling; however, our understanding of how TLR-4 signals is incomplete. Here we describe a protein, Mal (MyD88-adapter-like), which joins MyD88 as a cytoplasmic TIR-domain-containing protein in the human genome. Mal activates NF-kappaB, Jun amino-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2. Mal can form homodimers and can also form heterodimers with MyD88. Activation of NF-kappaB by Mal requires IRAK-2, but not IRAK, whereas MyD88 requires both IRAKs. Mal associates with IRAK-2 by means of its TIR domain. A dominant negative form of Mal inhibits NF-kappaB, which is activated by TLR-4 or lipopolysaccharide, but it does not inhibit NF-kappaB activation by IL-1RI or IL-18R. Mal associates with TLR-4. Mal is therefore an adapter in TLR-4 signal transduction.

The Toll-interleukin 1 receptor (TIR) superfamily, defined by the presence of an intracellular TIR domain, initiates innate immunity through activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B, leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines. ST2 is a member of the TIR family that does not activate NF-kappa B and has been suggested as an important effector molecule of T helper type 2 (T(H)2) responses. We show here that the membrane-bound form of ST2 negatively regulated type I interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1RI) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) but not TLR3 signaling by sequestrating the adaptors MyD88 and Mal. In contrast to wild-type mice, ST2-deficient mice failed to develop endotoxin tolerance. Thus, these results provide a molecular explanation for the function of ST2 in T(H)2 responses, as inhibition of TLRs promotes a T(H)2 response, and also identify ST2 as a key regulator of endotoxin tolerance.

The Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases, of which Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) 1 is a prototypical member, is involved in a vast array of signaling pathways in cells of hematopoietic lineage. Btk is expressed in all hematopoietic cells except T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. It is critically important for B-cell development as well as mature B-cell activation and survival. It has also been shown to be important for IgEmediated activation of mast cells resulting in allergic reactions. Btk kinase activity and tyrosine phosphorylation have both been shown to increase upon cross-linking or stimulation of the B-cell receptor, the IgE receptor (Fc⑀RII), and a number of cytokine receptors such as those for IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10, suggesting a general role for Btk in immune regulation (1-4). Whereas the molecular mechanisms by which the B-cell receptor regulates B-cell proliferation and survival are not well understood, Btk has recently been shown to lie downstream of the B-cell receptor on the pathway regulating activation of the key pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF B (5-8). The biological importance of the signaling function has been shown by naturally occurring loss of function mutations in Btk in human X-linked agammaglobulinemia and its murine counterpart, X-linked immunodeficiency (Xid). These diseases are characterized by a block in B-cell development and defects in B-cell signaling, and in X-linked agammaglobulinemia patients, mutations in Btk are associated associated with an increased frequency of bacterial infections in all organs (9). Studies in Xid mice have also shown reduced responses to LPS stimulation, with nitric oxide (NO) production decreased, and macrophage effector functions impaired (10 -12). This, coupled with the observation that responses to T-independent antigens are impaired in Xid mice, suggests a role for Btk in innate immune responses.Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have an essential function in both innate and adaptive immunity and have evolved to recognize, with high specificity, diverse microbial pathogens (13). TLR4, as the receptor for the Gram-negative bacterial product LPS, is the prototypical member of the family (numbered TLR1-10 in humans) of type I transmembrane receptors, which are characterized by an extracellular leucine-rich repeat domain and an intracellular Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain, responsible for signaling. Ligands for other family members (except TLR10) have been identified and include bacterial flagellin and unmethylated bacterial CpG motifs for TLR5 and TLR9, respectively; double-stranded RNA for TLR3; and the antiviral compound R-848 recognizing TLR7 and TLR8. Research into how these receptors signal has identified MyD88 and IL-1-receptorassociated kinases (IRAKs) as key proximal signaling components regulating activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF B in response to LPS (reviewed in Ref. 14). Important differences in the proteins recruited to the different TLR members have also been described. Both TLR2 (the receptor for...

A role for the IL-36 family of cytokines has been identified in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Although significant mechanistic overlap can exist between psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to date there have been no reports investigating the IL-36 family in gastrointestinal inflammation. Here we demonstrate that expression levels of IL-36α are specifically elevated in the colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis patients. This elevated expression is mirrored in the inflamed colonic mucosa of mice, wherein IL-36 receptor deficiency confirmed this pathway as a mediator of mucosal inflammation. Il36r-/- mice exhibited reduced disease severity in an acute DSS-induced model of colitis in association with decreased innate inflammatory cell infiltration to the colon lamina propria. Consistent with these data, infection with the enteropathogenic bacteria Citrobacter rodentium, resulted in reduced innate inflammatory cell recruitment and increased bacterial colonization in the colons of il36r-/- mice. Il36r-/- mice also exhibited altered T helper cell responses in this model, with enhanced Th17 and reduced Th1 responses, demonstrating that IL-36R signaling also regulates intestinal mucosal T-cell responses. These data identify a novel role for IL-36 signaling in colonic inflammation and indicate that the IL-36R pathway may represent a novel target for therapeutic intervention in IBD.