Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) belongs to the TLR protein family that plays an important role in the immune and inflammation response system. While TLR2 is predominantly expressed in immune cells, its... Show moreToll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) belongs to the TLR protein family that plays an important role in the immune and inflammation response system. While TLR2 is predominantly expressed in immune cells, its expression has also been detected in the brain, specifically in microglia and astrocytes. Recent studies indicate that genomic deletion of TLR2 can result in impaired neurobehavioural function. It is currently not clear if the genomic deletion of TLR2 leads to any alterations in the microstructural features of the brain. In the current study, we noninvasively assess microstructural changes in the brain of TLR2-deficient (tlr2-/-) zebrafish using state-of-the art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods at ultrahigh magnetic field strength (17.6 T). A significant increase in cortical thickness and an overall trend towards increased brain volumes were observed in young tlr2-/- zebrafish. An elevated T2 relaxation time and significantly reduced apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) unveil brain-wide microstructural alterations, potentially indicative of cytotoxic oedema and astrogliosis in the tlr2-/- zebrafish. Multicomponent analysis of the ADC diffusivity signal by the phasor approach shows an increase in the slow ADC component associated with restricted diffusion. Diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging analysis revealed diminished diffusivity and enhanced kurtosis in various white matter tracks in tlr2-/- compared with control zebrafish, identifying the microstructural underpinnings associated with compromised white matter integrity and axonal degeneration. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the genomic deletion of TLR2 results in severe alterations to the microstructural features of the zebrafish brain. This study also highlights the potential of ultrahigh field diffusion MRI techniques in discerning exceptionally fine microstructural details within the small zebrafish brain, offering potential for investigating microstructural changes in zebrafish models of various brain diseases. Show less
Mycobacterium avium is the most common nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species causing infectious disease. Here, we characterized a M. avium infection model in zebrafish larvae, and compared it... Show moreMycobacterium avium is the most common nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species causing infectious disease. Here, we characterized a M. avium infection model in zebrafish larvae, and compared it to M. marinum infection, a model of tuberculosis. M. avium bacteria are efficiently phagocytosed and frequently induce granuloma-like structures in zebrafish larvae. Although macrophages can respond to both mycobacterial infections, their migration speed is faster in infections caused by M. marinum. Tlr2 is conservatively involved in most aspects of the defense against both mycobacterial infections. However, Tlr2 has a function in the migration speed of macrophages and neutrophils to infection sites with M. marinum that is not observed with M. avium. Using RNAseq analysis, we found a distinct transcriptome response in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction for M. avium and M. marinum infection. In addition, we found differences in gene expression in metabolic pathways, phagosome formation, matrix remodeling, and apoptosis in response to these mycobacterial infections. In conclusion, we characterized a new M. avium infection model in zebrafish that can be further used in studying pathological mechanisms for NTM-caused diseases. Show less
Simple Summary Due to the broad functions of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in innate immunity, the drive for the development of TLR2-targeted therapeutic treatments has accelerated in recent decades.... Show moreSimple Summary Due to the broad functions of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in innate immunity, the drive for the development of TLR2-targeted therapeutic treatments has accelerated in recent decades. However, its dual role in both the activation and suppression of innate immune responses makes it very difficult to use the results from gathered basic research and apply them to the development of clinical trials. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the knowledge of the function of TLR2 in innate immunity and metabolism to provide some future research directions. Innate immunity is considered the first line of defense against microbial invasion, and its dysregulation can increase the susceptibility of hosts to infections by invading pathogens. Host cells rely on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to recognize invading pathogens and initiate protective innate immune responses. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is believed to be among the most important Toll-like receptors for defense against mycobacterial infection. TLR2 has been reported to have very broad functions in infectious diseases and also in other diseases, such as chronic and acute inflammatory diseases, cancers, and even metabolic disorders. However, TLR2 has an unclear dual role in both the activation and suppression of innate immune responses. Moreover, in some studies, the function of TLR2 was shown to be controversial, and therefore its role in several diseases is still inconclusive. Therefore, although TLR2 has been shown to have an important function in innate immunity, its usefulness as a therapeutic target in clinical application is still uncertain. In this literature review, we summarize the knowledge of the functions of TLR2 in host-mycobacterial interactions, discuss controversial results, and suggest possibilities for future research. Show less
The function of TLRs in innate immunity has aroused worldwide attention soon after its discovery. Because of the broad functions of TLR2 in innate immunity, the drive for the development of TLR2... Show moreThe function of TLRs in innate immunity has aroused worldwide attention soon after its discovery. Because of the broad functions of TLR2 in innate immunity, the drive for the development of TLR2-targeted vaccines or therapeutic treatments has accelerated in the last decades. However, its dual role in both activation and suppression of innate immune responses makes it very difficult to use the available results from basic research for the development of clinical trials. In addition, it is still not clear what is the function of TLR2 in regulating phagocytic cell migration. Therefore, we aimed to determine the function of TLR2 in mycobacterial infection and explore its role in regulating phagocytic cell migration in inflammatory tissue by using a zebrafish larval model in this thesis. We showed that infection of a tlr2 mutant in zebrafish larvae leads to a higher mycobacterial burden, accompanied by a lower number of granulomas and increased extracellular bacterial growth. Through a tail fin wounding and tail fin infection zebrafish model, we demonstrated that tlr2 is involved in modulating leukocyte migration. This thesis provides a better understanding of the functions of TLR2 in innate immune responses to infection and tissue wounding. Show less