Changing expression system alters oligomerization and proinflammatory activity of recombinant human S100A9

S100A9 is a Damage Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) that activates the innate immune system via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Despite many years of study, the mechanism of activation remains unknown. To date, much of the biochemical characterization of S100A9 has been performed using recombinant S100A9 expressed in E. coli (S100A9^ec). TLR4 is the canonical receptor for LPS, a molecule found in the outer membrane of E. coli, raising the possibility of artifacts due to LPS contamination. Here we report characterization of LPS-free recombinant S100A9 expressed in insect cells (S100A9ⁱⁿ). We show that S100A9ⁱⁿ does not activate TLR4. This difference does not appear to be due to LPS contamination, protein misfolding, purification artifacts, or differences in phosphorylation. We show instead that S100A9ⁱⁿ adopts an altered oligomeric state compared to S100A9^ec. Disrupting oligomer formation with the E. coli disaggregase SlyD restores activity to S100A9ⁱⁿ. Our results also indicate that the oligomeric state of S100A9 is a major factor in its ability to activate TLR4 and that this can be altered in unexpected ways by the recombinant expression system used to produce the protein.