Mycobacterium tuberculosisLipoproteins Directly Regulate Human Memory CD4+T Cell Activation via Toll-Like Receptors 1 and 2
ABSTRACTThe success ofMycobacterium tuberculosisas a pathogen relies on its ability to regulate the host immune response.M. tuberculosiscan manipulate adaptive T cell responses indirectly by modulating antigen-presenting cell (APC) function or by directly interacting with T cells. Little is known about the role ofM. tuberculosismolecules in direct regulation of T cell function. Using a biochemical approach, we identified lipoproteins LprG and LpqH as major molecules inM. tuberculosislysate responsible for costimulation of primary human CD4+T cells. In the absence of APCs, activation of memory CD4+T cells with LprG or LpqH in combination with anti-CD3 antibody induces Th1 cytokine secretion and cellular proliferation. Lipoprotein-induced T cell costimulation was inhibited by blocking antibodies to Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR1, indicating that human CD4+T cells can use TLR2/TLR1 heterodimers to directly respond toM. tuberculosisproducts.M. tuberculosislipoproteins induced NF-κB activation in CD4+T cells in the absence of TCR co-engagement. Thus, TLR2/TLR1 engagement alone byM. tuberculosislipoprotein triggered intracellular signaling, but upregulation of cytokine production and proliferation required co-engagement of the TCR. In conclusion, our results demonstrate thatM. tuberculosislipoproteins LprG and LpqH participate in the regulation of adaptive immunity not only by inducing cytokine secretion and costimulatory molecules in innate immune cells but also through directly regulating the activation of memory T lymphocytes.