2. Academic Validation
  3. Treponema pallidum recombinant protein Tp47 enhanced interleukin-6 secretion in human dermal fibroblasts through the toll-like receptor 2 via the p38, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signalling pathways

Treponema pallidum recombinant protein Tp47 enhanced interleukin-6 secretion in human dermal fibroblasts through the toll-like receptor 2 via the p38, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signalling pathways

  • Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2023 Jul 17;119540. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119540.
Xin-Qi Zheng 1,  Xiang-Qi Kong 2,  Yun He 3,  Yong-Jing Wang 1,  Lin Xie 1,  Li-Li Liu 4,  Li-Rong Lin 5,  Tian-Ci Yang 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Center of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China.
  • 2 Center of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261000, China.
  • 3 Center of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; Department of Medical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361004, China.
  • 4 Center of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; Institute of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 5 Center of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; Institute of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 6 Center of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China; Institute of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 37468070 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119540
Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multi-effective cytokine involved in multiple immune responses. Whether fibroblasts also turn out to be a cytokine IL-6 factory during interaction with Treponema pallidum is not yet understood. To explore whether fibroblasts participate in inflammation due to syphilis, a series of experiments were performed to explore the role of T. pallidum lipoprotein Tp47 in IL-6 production in human dermal fibroblasts. The Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) and participating signalling pathways in this process were also evaluated. The results showed that the expressions of IL-6 and the protein levels of TLR2 in fibroblasts were upregulated after stimulation with Tp47, and this effect was impeded by the TLR2 Inhibitor C29. In addition, Tp47 promoted the phosphorylation of p38, PI3K/Akt, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), and the translocation of NF-κB in fibroblasts. Moreover, p38, PI3K, and NF-κB inhibitors significantly reduced IL-6 production in fibroblasts stimulated with Tp47. Furthermore, the TLR2 Inhibitor C29 inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, Akt, and NF-κB, and the translocation of NF-κB in fibroblasts. In conclusion, our results showed that Tp47 enhanced IL-6 secretion in human dermal fibroblasts through TLR2 via p38, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signalling pathways. These findings contribute to our understanding of syphilis inflammation.

Keywords

Fibroblast; Interleukin-6; Toll-like receptor 2; Tp47; Treponema pallidum.

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