In vivo anti- and pro-tumour activities of the TLR2 ligand FSL-1.

TLR ligands as Th1 inducers have been investigated as potential anti-tumour agents. However, few attempts have been made to investigate the anti-tumour activity of TLR ligands as Th2 inducers. This study, therefore, was carried out to determine whether the TLR2 ligand FSL-1 as a Th2 inducers affects the growth of a QRsP tumour, a fibrosarcoma derived from the C57BL/6 (TLR2(+/+)) mouse in vivo.

Resveratrol modulates phagocytosis of bacteria through an NF-kappaB-dependent gene program.

Many studies have shown that the pharmacological effects of resveratrol, a phytoalexin polyphenolic compound, include protective effects against cancer and inflammation as well as enhancement of stress resistance. In this study, we examined whether resveratrol affected the phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages and the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB after stimulation with or without the ligand FSL-1 for Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Phagocytosis of Escherichia coli and of Staphylococcus aureus by THP-1 cells and RAW264.

The diacylated lipopeptide FSL-1 enhances phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages through a Toll-like receptor 2-mediated signalling pathway.

A significant amount of evidence has been accumulated to show that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) function as sensors for microbial invasion. However, little is known about how signalling triggered by TLRs leads to the phagocytosis of pathogens. This study was designed to determine whether stimulation of TLR2 mainly with the lipopeptide FSL-1 plays a role in the phagocytosis of pathogens by macrophages.