TLR2 heterodimerization is not critical for the cell activation triggered by rPCN.

<p>HEK293T cells were transfected with CD14 and CD36 along with TLR2, TLR2/TLR1 or TLR2/TLR6. The total amount of DNA in each transfection was kept constant by adding empty expression vector. After 48 h of transfection, cells were stimulated with the agonists: Pam3CysSK4 (P3C) for TLR2/1 and FSL-1 for TLR2/6. Medium was used as negative control for cell stimulation (white bars). rPCN (1.25 µg/mL), previously incubated with polymyxin to neutralize LPS, was assayed. The cell supernatants were analyzed for IL-8 by ELISA. Panel A: Cells transfected with TLR2 and TLR1. Panel B: Cells transfected with TLR2 and TLR6. Results are representative of five independent experiments. Statistical differences were assessed by comparing the response of cells expressing TLR2 to the response of cells expressing TLR2/TLR1 or TLR2/TLR6. Values are the mean ± S.D. * p<0.05; ** p<0.01; *** p<0.001.