TLR2 axis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells regulates inflammatory responses to non-infectious immature dengue virus particles

PLoS Pathog. 2022 Oct 14;18(10):e1010499. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010499. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Severe dengue virus (DENV) infection is characterized by exacerbated inflammatory responses that lead to endothelial dysfunction and plasma leakage. We have recently demonstrated that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on blood monocytes senses DENV infection leading to endothelial activation. Here, we report that non-infectious immature DENV particles, which are released in large numbers by DENV-infected cells, drive endothelial activation via the TLR2 axis. We show that fully immature DENV particles induce a rapid, within 6 hours post-infection, inflammatory response in PBMCs. Furthermore, pharmacological blocking of TLR2/TLR6/CD14 and/or NF-kB prior to exposure of PBMCs to immature DENV reduces the initial production of inter alia TNF-α and IL-1β by monocytes and prevents endothelial activation. However, prolonged TLR2 block induces TNF-α production and leads to exacerbated endothelial activation, indicating that TLR2-mediated responses play an important role not only in the initiation but also the resolution of inflammation. Altogether, these data indicate that the maturation status of the virus has the potential to influence the kinetics and extent of inflammatory responses during DENV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dengue Virus*
  • Dengue*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear
  • NF-kappa B
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Virion

Substances

  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • NF-kappa B
  • TLR2 protein, human

Grants and funding

J.A.A.B. was supported by CONACYT, Mexico and de Cock-Hadders Foundation. I.A.R.Z. was supported by the Research Grant 2019 from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). Funding agencies had no role in the experimental design, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.