Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 plays an important role in myeloid cell-activated inflammatory responses. Although TLR ligands such as LPS and lipoteichoic acid have been shown to upregulate TREM-1 expression in macrophage and neutrophils, the role of specific TLR in inducing the expression of TREM-1 remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether the presence of TLR is necessary for the expression of TREM-1. We show that BM-derived macrophages from TLR4 and TLR2 KO mice failed to induce expression of TREM-1 message and protein in response to their specific ligands. Interestingly, the expression of TREM-1 in response to LPS is not altered in myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) KO macrophages, suggesting that downstream of TLR a MyD88-independent pathway induces the expression of TREM-1. Inhibiting toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-b (TRIF) expression by siRNA decreased TREM-1 expression in response to LPS, suggesting that the expression of TREM-1 in response to LPS was mediated by the TRIF signaling pathway. On the other hand, the expression of TREM-1 in response to lipoteichoic acid is dependent on MyD88 expression. These data indicate that the expression of TREM-1 in response to TLR ligands occurs secondary to downstream signaling events and that the presence of TLR is necessary for the expression of TREM-1 in response to their specific ligands. However, the downstream signaling required for the expression of TREM-1 is dependent on the stimulus and the surface receptor through which the signaling is initiated.Key words: Innate immunity . TLR . TREM-1
IntroductionTriggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) belongs to the TREM super-family of receptors, which is expressed on monocytes and neutrophils [1][2][3][4][5]. These receptors activate downstream signaling pathways with the help of an adaptor molecule, DAP12 [2]. Although the natural ligands for TREM-1 have not been identified the engagement of TREM-1 synergizes with the effects of the TLR ligands and amplifies the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines [2][3][4]6]. Because blocking of TREM-1 improves the survival of mice with bacterial sepsis TREM-1 has been perceived to play an essential role in acute inflammatory responses in murine models of septic shock [2,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13].In the presence of infection, inflammation is triggered through the recognition of microorganism-by the pathogen associated molecules such as the TLR, which are expressed on the surface of innate immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells [14][15][16]. To date ten members of TLR have been identified in human, and 13 in mice, and a series of genetic series have revealed their respective ligands. On engagement with
162ligands, TLR recruit specific adapter molecules that propagate downstream signaling [17]. This interaction then leads to the activation of NF-kB and to the release of pro-inflammatory TNF-a, IL-12, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-b) cytokines [18]. TLR ...