Published online February 11, 2008
doi:10.1084/jem.20071108
The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol. 205, No. 2, 451-464
The Rockefeller University Press, 0022-1007 $30.00
© 2008 Turer et al.
Homeostatic MyD88-dependent signals cause lethal inflamMation in the absence of A20
Emre E. Turer1,
Rita M. Tavares1,2,
Erwan Mortier1,
Osamu Hitotsumatsu1,
Rommel Advincula1,
Bettina Lee1,
Nataliya Shifrin1,
Barbara A. Malynn1, and
Averil Ma1
1 Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
2 Ph.D. Programme in Biomedicine, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
CORRESPONDENCE Averil Ma: averil.ma{at}ucsf.edu
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on host cells are chronically engaged by microbial ligands during homeostatic conditions. These signals do not cause inflammatory immune responses in unperturbed mice, even though they drive innate and adaptive immune responses when combating microbial infections. A20 is a ubiquitin-modifying enzyme that restricts exogenous TLR-induced signals. We show that MyD88-dependent TLR signals drive the spontaneous T cell and myeloid cell activation, cachexia, and premature lethality seen in A20-deficient mice. We have used broad spectrum antibiotics to demonstrate that these constitutive TLR signals are driven by commensal intestinal flora. A20 restricts TLR signals by restricting ubiquitylation of the E3 ligase tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6. These results reveal both the severe proinflammatory pathophysiology that can arise from homeostatic TLR signals as well as the critical role of A20 in restricting these signals in vivo. In addition, A20 restricts MyD88-independent TLR signals by inhibiting Toll/interleukin 1 receptor domain–containing adaptor inducing interferon (IFN) β–dependent nuclear factor
B signals but not IFN response factor 3 signaling. These findings provide novel insights into how physiological TLR signals are regulated.
Abbreviations used: BMDM, bone marrow–derived macrophage; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell; IRAK-M, IL-1R–associated kinase M; IRF, IFN response factor; MCP, monocyte chemoattractant protein; mRNA, messenger RNA; PAMP, pathogen-associated molecular pattern; poly (I:C), poly-inosine:cytosine; RIP, receptor-interacting protein; R.U., relative units; SIGIRR, single Ig and TIR domain; SOCS, suppressor of cytokine signaling; TIR, Toll/IL-1 receptor; TLR, Toll-like receptor; TRAF, TNF receptor–associated factor; TRIF, TIR domain–containing adaptor inducing IFN-β.
E.E. Turer and R.M. Tavares contributed equally to this work.

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