Unc93B1 restricts systemic lethal inflammation by orchestrating Toll-like receptor 7 and 9 trafficking

Immunity. 2011 Jul 22;35(1):69-81. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2011.05.010. Epub 2011 Jun 16.

Abstract

Toll-like receptor-7 (TLR7) and 9, innate immune sensors for microbial RNA or DNA, have been implicated in autoimmunity. Upon activation, TLR7 and 9 are transported from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to endolysosomes for nucleic acid sensing by an ER-resident protein, Unc93B1. Little is known, however, about a role for sensor transportation in controlling autoimmunity. TLR9 competes with TLR7 for Unc93B1-dependent trafficking and predominates over TLR7. TLR9 skewing is actively maintained by Unc93B1 and reversed to TLR7 if Unc93B1 loses preferential binding via a D34A mutation. We here demonstrate that mice harboring a D34A mutation showed TLR7-dependent, systemic lethal inflammation. CD4(+) T cells showed marked differentiation toward T helper 1 (Th1) or Th17 cell subsets. B cell depletion abolished T cell differentiation and systemic inflammation. Thus, Unc93B1 controls homeostatic TLR7 activation by balancing TLR9 to TLR7 trafficking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Inflammation
  • Lymphocyte Depletion
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / immunology
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Transport
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th1 Cells / pathology
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th17 Cells / pathology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Tlr7 protein, mouse
  • Tlr9 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9
  • UNC93B1 protein, mouse