TRAM is specifically involved in the Toll-like receptor 4–mediated MyD88-independent signaling pathway

M Yamamoto, S Sato, H Hemmi, S Uematsu… - Nature …, 2003 - nature.com
M Yamamoto, S Sato, H Hemmi, S Uematsu, K Hoshino, T Kaisho, O Takeuchi, K Takeda…
Nature immunology, 2003nature.com
Recognition of pathogens by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) triggers innate immune responses
through signaling pathways mediated by Toll–interleukin 1 receptor (TIR) domain–
containing adaptors such as MyD88, TIRAP and TRIF. MyD88 is a common adaptor that is
essential for proinflammatory cytokine production, whereas TRIF mediates the MyD88-
independent pathway from TLR3 and TLR4. Here we have identified a fourth TIR domain–
containing adaptor, TRIF-related adaptor molecule (TRAM), and analyzed its physiological …
Abstract
Recognition of pathogens by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) triggers innate immune responses through signaling pathways mediated by Toll–interleukin 1 receptor (TIR) domain–containing adaptors such as MyD88, TIRAP and TRIF. MyD88 is a common adaptor that is essential for proinflammatory cytokine production, whereas TRIF mediates the MyD88-independent pathway from TLR3 and TLR4. Here we have identified a fourth TIR domain–containing adaptor, TRIF-related adaptor molecule (TRAM), and analyzed its physiological function by gene targeting. TRAM-deficient mice showed defects in cytokine production in response to the TLR4 ligand, but not to other TLR ligands. TLR4- but not TLR3-mediated MyD88-independent interferon-β production and activation of signaling cascades were abolished in TRAM-deficient cells. Thus, TRAM provides specificity for the MyD88-independent component of TLR4 signaling.
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