Aberrant Toll Receptor Expression and Endotoxin Hypersensitivity in Mice Lacking a Functional TGF-β1 Signaling Pathway

TGF-beta1 plays a central role in maintaining normal immune function and deficiency of this potent immunosuppressive molecule is linked to uncontrolled inflammation, cachexia, and multiorgan failure as seen in the TGF-beta1 null mouse. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into vital organs of the null mouse is accompanied by increased gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, as well as inducible NO synthase, each regulated by NF-kappaB. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 to prevent NF-kappaB activation dramatically reduced NO production and expression of inflammatory cytokines. This inflammatory phenotype with NF-kappaB activation in the TGF-beta1 null mouse, in the absence of any identifiable pathogen, suggested activation of innate immune responses. Because Toll-like receptors (TLR) are essential in the activation of innate immunity, we examined inflamed tissue from TGF-beta1 null and wild-type mice for expression of TLR4, the receptor that interacts with bacterial cell wall LPS to initiate an NF-kappaB-dependent signaling pathway, leading to gene transcription of inflammatory mediators. Increased TLR4 mRNA expression observed in TGF-beta1 null mice as well as in mice lacking the TGF-beta transcription factor Smad3 was associated with LPS hyperresponsiveness leading to increased expression of inflammatory cytokines and NO and endotoxemia. Furthermore, mice lacking both TGF-beta1 and a functional TLR4 were resistant to endotoxin shock. Constitutive and/or environmental activation of TLR4 and downstream elements, in the absence of TGF-beta suppression, may impact on innate and adaptive immunity and contribute to massive uncontrolled inflammation.