Toll-like receptor 2 activation depends on lipopeptide shedding by bacterial surfactants

Abstract

The role played by human protein TLR2 in inflammation and sepsis varies for different bacterial pathogens. Here, Hanzelmann et al. show that the differential abilities of Staphylococcus aureusstrains to activate TLR2 depend on their production of peptides that release lipoproteins known to act as TLR2 agonists.