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Human keratinocytes express functional CD14 and toll-like receptor 4
Peter I Song1, Young-Min Park, Tonya Abraham
1Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|August 23, 2002
Summary
Human skin cells, keratinocytes, express functional CD14 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). These receptors mediate responses to lipopolysaccharide, crucial for understanding skin
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CD14 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are key in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses during bacterial infections.
- While expressed in myeloid cells, their role in non-leukocytes like skin cells is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of CD14 and TLR4 in human keratinocytes.
- To determine if keratinocytes can mount an innate immune response to LPS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of CD14 and TLR4 mRNA expression in keratinocytes.
- Detection of cell surface protein expression using flow cytometry.
- Assessment of cellular responses to LPS, including calcium influx, NF-κB activation, and cytokine secretion.
Main Results:
- Human keratinocytes constitutively express CD14 and TLR4 mRNA, with increased expression upon LPS exposure.
- Cell surface CD14 and TLR4 were detected on keratinocytes.
- LPS binding triggered intracellular calcium flux, NF-κB translocation, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Conclusions:
- Human keratinocytes express functional CD14 and TLR4, contributing to cutaneous innate immunity.
- These findings highlight a previously underappreciated role for keratinocytes in skin's defense against bacterial pathogens.