Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT6 induces IFN-β gene expression in Macrophages via TLRs-mediated signaling

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a highly virulent bacterium that causes tuberculosis. It infects about one third of the world's population. Type I interferons (IFNs) play a detrimental role in host defense against M. tuberculosis infection. Proteins secreted by M. tuberculosis through ESX-1 secretion system contribute to type I IFNs production. However, the precise mechanism by which 6-kDa early secretory antigen target (ESAT6), one of ESX-1-mediated secretory proteins, induces type I IFNs production in host cells is currently unclear. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the underlying molecular mechanism regulating ESAT6-mediated gene expression of IFN-β in macrophages. Recombinant ESAT6 produced from E. coli expression system induced IFN-β gene expression in various types of macrophages such as mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), peritoneal macrophages, and MH-S cells (murine alveolar macrophage cell line). Deficiency of TLR4 and TRIF absolutely abrogated ESAT6-induced IFN-β gene expression. TLR2 and MyD88 were partially involved in IFN-β gene expression in response to low dose of ESAT6. Another recombinant ESAT6 produced from baculovirus system also upregulated IFN-β gene expression via TLR4-dependent pathway. Polymyxin B (PMB) treatment impaired LPS-induced IFN-β expression. However, IFN-β expression induced by ESAT6 was not influenced by PMB. This suggests that ESAT6-mediated IFN-β expression is not due to LPS contamination. Treatment with ESAT6 resulted in activation of TBK1 and IRF3 in macrophages. Such activation was abolished in TLR4- and TRIF-deficient cells. Moreover, inhibition of IRF3 and TBK1 suppressed IFN-β gene expression in response to ESAT6. Our results suggest that ESAT6 might contribute to virulence of M. tuberculosis by regulating type I IFNs production through TLR4-TRIF signaling pathway.