[HTML][HTML] Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein links innate immune cell activation with adaptive immunity via a Toll-like receptor-4–dependent mechanism

MD Säemann, T Weichhart, M Zeyda… - The Journal of …, 2005 - Am Soc Clin Investig
MD Säemann, T Weichhart, M Zeyda, G Staffler, M Schunn, KM Stuhlmeier, Y Sobanov…
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2005Am Soc Clin Investig
Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) is expressed exclusively in the kidney and constitutes the
most abundant protein in mammalian urine. A critical role for THP in antibacterial host
defense and inflammatory disorders of the urogenital tract has been suggested. We
demonstrate that THP activates myeloid DCs via Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) to acquire a fully
mature DC phenotype. THP triggers typical TLR signaling, culminating in activation of NF-
κB. Bone marrow–derived macrophages from TLR4-and MyD88-deficient mice were …
Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) is expressed exclusively in the kidney and constitutes the most abundant protein in mammalian urine. A critical role for THP in antibacterial host defense and inflammatory disorders of the urogenital tract has been suggested. We demonstrate that THP activates myeloid DCs via Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) to acquire a fully mature DC phenotype. THP triggers typical TLR signaling, culminating in activation of NF-κB. Bone marrow–derived macrophages from TLR4-and MyD88-deficient mice were nonresponsive to THP in contrast to those from TLR2-and TLR9-deficient mice. In vivo THP-driven TNF-α production was evident in WT but not in Tlr4–/–mice. Importantly, generation of THP-specific Abs consistently detectable in urinary tract inflammation was completely blunted in Tlr4–/–mice. These data show that THP is a regulatory factor of innate and adaptive immunity and therefore could have significant impact on host immunity in the urinary tract.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation