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Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein links innate immune cell activation with adaptive immunity via a Toll-like receptor-4-dependent mechanism.

Säemann MD, Weichhart T, Zeyda M, Staffler G, Schunn M, Stuhlmeier KM, Sobanov Y, Stulnig TM, Akira S, von Gabain A, von Ahsen U, Hörl WH, Zlabinger GJ

Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) is expressed exclusively in the kidney and constitutes the most abundant protein in mammalian urine. A critical role for THP in antibacterial host defense and inflammatory disorders of the urogenital tract has been suggested. We demonstrate that THP activates myeloid DCs via Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) to acquire a fully mature DC phenotype. THP triggers typical TLR signaling, culminating in activation of NF-kappaB. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from TLR4- and MyD88-deficient mice were nonresponsive to THP in contrast to those from TLR2- and TLR9-deficient mice. In vivo THP-driven TNF-alpha production was evident in WT but not in Tlr4-/- mice. Importantly, generation of THP-specific Abs consistently detectable in urinary tract inflammation was completely blunted in Tlr4-/- mice. These data show that THP is a regulatory factor of innate and adaptive immunity and therefore could have significant impact on host immunity in the urinary tract.

Published 3 February 2005 in J Clin Invest, 115(2): 468-75.
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