TLR7 and TLR9 ligands regulate antigen presentation by macrophages

Int Immunol. 2016 May;28(5):223-32. doi: 10.1093/intimm/dxv066. Epub 2015 Nov 13.

Abstract

The toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important innate receptors recognizing potentially pathogenic material. However, they also play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, cancer, autoimmunity and the susceptibility to viral infections. Macrophages are essential for an effective immune response to foreign material and the resolution of inflammation. In these studies, we examined the impact of different TLR ligands on macrophage cell function. We demonstrate that stimulation of all TLRs tested increases the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. TLR7 and TLR9 ligation decreased the levels of the surface co-expression molecules CD86 and MHCII, which was associated with a concomitant reduction in antigen presentation and proliferation of T cells. This down-regulation in macrophage function was not due to an increase in cell death. In fact, exposure to TLR7 or TLR9 ligands promoted cell viability for up to 9 days, in contrast to TLR3 or TLR4. Additionally, macrophages exposed to TLR7/TLR9 ligands had a significantly lower ratio of Il-12/Il-10 mRNA expression compared with those treated with the TLR4 ligand, LPS. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TLR7/TLR9 ligands push the macrophage into a phagocytic long-lived cell, with a decreased capacity of antigen presentation and reminiscent of the M2 polarized state.

Keywords: TLR; activation; antigen presentation; macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Interleukin-12 / genetics
  • Interleukin-12 / immunology
  • Ligands
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / agonists*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Phagocytosis / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / agonists*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / immunology*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / agonists*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / immunology*

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • IL10 protein, mouse
  • Ligands
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Tlr7 protein, mouse
  • Tlr9 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-12