TRAF5 negatively regulates TLR signaling in B lymphocytes

J Immunol. 2014 Jan 1;192(1):145-50. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301901. Epub 2013 Nov 20.

Abstract

The cytoplasmic adaptor proteins TNFR-associated factor (TRAF)3 and TRAF6 are important mediators of TLR signaling. To our knowledge, we show in this study for the first time that another TRAF family member, TRAF5, is a negative regulator of TLR signaling. B lymphocytes from TRAF5(-/-) mice produced more IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-10, TNF-α, and IgM than did wild-type B cells after TLR stimulation. Consistent with these data, exogenous overexpression of TRAF5 in B cells inhibited TLR-mediated cytokine and Ab production. TLR stimulation of TRAF5-deficient B cells did not affect cell survival, proliferation, or NF-κB activation but resulted in markedly enhanced phosphorylation of the MAPKs ERK1/2 and JNK. TRAF5 negatively regulated TLR signaling in a cell-specific manner, because TRAF5(-/-) macrophages and dendritic cells showed less dramatic differences in TLR-mediated cytokine production than B cells. Following TLR stimulation, TRAF5 associated in a complex with the TLR adaptor protein MyD88 and the B cell-specific positive regulator of TLR signaling TAB2. Furthermore, TRAF5 negatively regulated the association of TAB2 with its signaling partner TRAF6 after TLR ligation in B cells. To our knowledge, these data provide the first evidence that TRAF5 acts as a negative regulator of TLR signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Protein Binding
  • Signal Transduction*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 5 / genetics*
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 5 / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 5
  • Toll-Like Receptors