dAlthough Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) is becoming more prevalent in patients without overt immunodeficiency, little is known about the factors that contribute to disease susceptibility. This study was undertaken to investigate how Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) functionally contributes to the generation of protective immunity against M. abscessus in a morphotype-specific manner. We found that Tlr2 M ycobacterium abscessus (sensu stricto) is an emerging rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM) that causes a wide spectrum of infections in humans, including lung, skin, soft tissue, and bone diseases (1). M. abscessus is the most drug-resistant mycobacterial pathogen, resulting in limited therapeutic options and a high rate of treatment failure (2).Interestingly, the outcomes of mycobacterial infections can range from asymptomatic clearance to severe clinical disease (3). Different pathogen-and host-specific factors have been considered in determining the outcomes of these infections. However, it is clear that the interaction between mycobacteria and the innate and adaptive immune systems plays a central role in host defense and pathogenesis (3). In fact, the recognition of mycobacterial components by innate immune cells through various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) induces a cytokine response that can promote early control of the infection (3, 4).Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated immune activation occurs only in the presence of functional TLRs, and TLR variants may exhibit altered expression, function, and recognition of signaling mechanisms, thereby increasing disease susceptibility. Healthy individuals who develop nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases, including those caused by M. abscessus, likely have specific susceptibility factors that make them vulnerable to these infections (5). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between human TLR2 polymorphisms and tuberculosis or Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease (6-8). In addition, TLR1 is required for TLR2 signaling, and the TLR1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) I602S has been found in a cystic fibrosis cell line, resulting in a lack of recognition of M. abscessus rough variants by TLR2.Furthermore, an age-associated decrease in TLR function has been identified (9). The rate of M. abscessus infection has increased, predominantly in older women (5). Thus, delineating the molecular recognition pattern of M. abscessus is important for understanding how host resistance is induced, maintained, and regulated during infection. To date, a limited number of in vivo studies have investigated the roles of innate immunity and adaptive immunity in M. abscessus infections (10-13).Based on colony morphology on solid growth medium, there are two major variants of M. abscessus: the smooth (S) and rough (R) morphotypes (12). The cell walls of the S variant of M. abscessus are enriched with glycopeptidolipids (GPLs), and this variant