A bacterial carbohydrate links innate and adaptive responses through Toll-like receptor 2

Citation:

Qun Wang, Rachel M McLoughlin, Brian A Cobb, Marie Charrel-Dennis, Kathleen J Zaleski, Douglas Golenbock, Arthur O Tzianabos, and Dennis L Kasper. 2006. “A bacterial carbohydrate links innate and adaptive responses through Toll-like receptor 2.” J Exp Med, 203, 13, Pp. 2853-63.

Abstract:

Commensalism is critical to a healthy Th1/Th2 cell balance. Polysaccharide A (PSA), which is produced by the intestinal commensal Bacteroides fragilis, activates CD4+ T cells, resulting in a Th1 response correcting the Th2 cell skew of germ-free mice. We identify Toll-like receptors as crucial to the convergence of innate and adaptive responses stimulated by PSA. Optimization of the Th1 cytokine interferon-gamma in PSA-stimulated dendritic cell-CD4+ T cell co-cultures depends on both Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and antigen presentation. Synergy between the innate and adaptive responses was also shown when TLR2-/- mice exhibited impaired intraabdominal abscess formation in response to B. fragilis. Commensal bacteria, using molecules like PSA, potentially modulate the Th1/Th2 cell balance and the response to infection by coordinating both the innate and adaptive pathways.