Mycobacterium tuberculosis Requires Cholesterol Oxidase to Disrupt TLR2 Signalling in Human Macrophages

Figure 7

The effect of TBChoD recombinant protein on TLR2, TRAF6, IRAK4, and p-IRAK4 levels in macrophages. (a) The macrophages were treated with a range concentration of TBChoD recombinant protein (1-25 μg/ml) for 24 hours. The cells were then stained with the PE-conjugated anti-TLR2 mAb or a specific isotype control for 30 minutes. The TLR2 expression on the macrophages was analysed using flow cytometry. The graphs show the mean values of the from 5 independent experiments. (b, c) The macrophages were treated with 10 μg/ml of TBChoD recombinant protein for 1, 2, or 4 hours. The TRAF6, IRAK4, and p-IRAK4 protein levels were assessed using the immunoblot-ECL method. Representative immunoblots of abovementioned proteins are shown. The bands were quantified by densitometric analysis. The data are presented as the from 3 independent experiments. Macrophages treated with TBChoD protein vs. nontreated macrophages, (Wilcoxon’s signed rank test).

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