The gp41 TMD inhibits TLR2 induced signaling through ERK1,2 and cytokine secretion.

<p>(<b>A</b>) ERK1,2 phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells was detected before and after LTA exposure. Cells were either pre-treated with indicated peptides for 2 hours prior to LTA addition or untreated (center). GAPDH shows equal loading. Here shown representative data of 3 typical experiments. (<b>B</b>) Quantification of the band intensity was determined for the p-ERK levels after 20 minutes LTA exposure. The WT peptide shows over 50 minutes LTA exposure. The WT peptide shows over 50% decrease in p-ERK levels while the mutant peptide shows approximately 15%. Statistical analysis was done by student T-test, (n = 4, ** p<0.01). (<b>C–D</b>) mRNA expression levels of MCP-1 (C) and TNFα (D) detected by real-time PCR. Expression levels were normalized to the expression of non-activated cells. The data is shown as the calculated 2^∧−dCT in the relativity of each gene to HPRT. (The figure is an average of three samples, * - p<0.05).