TLR10 overexpression modulates immune response in A549 lung epithelial cells challenged with SARS-CoV-2 S and N proteins

Knez, Špela (author), Narat, Mojca (author), Ogorevc, Jernej (author)

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the recognition of viral particles and activation of the innate immune system, but their role in SARS-CoV-2 infection is still poorly characterized. In the present study, we investigated the role of Toll-like receptor 10 (TLR10) in modulating the immune response during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results showed that overexpression of TLR10 in A549 lung epithelial cells, immunostimulated with SARS-CoV-2 proteins S and N mainly downregulated proinflammatory cytokines and interferons and affected gene expression in the cocultured THP-1 monocytes. Our results suggest that TLR10 could mediate the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection by downregulating the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as CXCL10, IL6, IL8, and IFNβ. Modulation of TLR10 expression could have implications for the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19, in whom excessive inflammation leading to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a key feature. However, further research is needed to fully understand the impact of modulating TLR10 expression on the antiviral response and the overall balance of the immune response during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

• Language: English
• Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Toll-like receptor 10, interferons, proinflammatory cytokines, innate immunity
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 11 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 15, art. 1490478
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-166917
• UDC: 577.27
• ISSN on article: 1664-3224
• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1490478
• COBISS.SI-ID: 223003139
• Publication date in RUL: 31.01.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in immunology
• Shortened title: Front. immunol.
• Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
• ISSN: 1664-3224
• COBISS.SI-ID: 30774233

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: imunologija, pljuča, epitelne celice, vnetje, TLR10, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P4-0220
• Name: Primerjalna genomika in genomska biodiverziteta

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Funding programme: Young researchers