TLR2 and TLR4 mediate the TNFα response to Vibrio vulnificus biotype 1

Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) is a pathogenic bacterium that can cause life-threatening infections in humans. Most fatal cases are due to septic shock that results from dysregulation of cytokines, particularly TNF alpha, which plays a critical role in the outcome of Vv infection. The goal of this study was to investigate the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated TNF alpha response to four Vv biotype 1 strains using mice deficient for TLR2, TLR4, and TLR2/TLR4. Ex vivo assays were performed with blood, splenocytes, and Kupffer cells (KC) from wild-type (WT) and TLR-knockout (KO) mice using formalin-inactivated Vv (f-Vv) as stimulant. All f-Vv biotype 1 strains elicited strong TNF alpha production by WT mouse blood and cells, which was TLR2 and TLR4 dependent. OxPAPC, an inhibitor of TLR2 and TLR4 signaling, effectively blunted the TLR-mediated TNF alpha response to f-Vv. Furthermore, TLR2 KO and TLR2/TLR4 KO mice were more resistant to lethal infection with Vv ATCC 27562 than WT mice, perhaps due to attenuation of the TNF alpha response. These data suggest that it may be possible to devise strategies to specifically target the harmful TLR-mediated TNF alpha response as an adjunct to antibiotic treatment of severe Vv infection.