Rapid translocation of intracellular toll-like receptors depends on endosomal NADPH oxidase.

Endosomal toll-like receptors (TLRs) must be translocated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the endosome and proteolytically cleaved within the endosome before they can induce cellular signals. As ligands for these TLRs are also liberated from apoptotic or necrotic cells, this process is controlled by several mechanisms which shall ensure that there is no inadvertent activation. We have shown previously that antiphospholipid antibodies induce endosomal NADPH-oxidase (NOX) followed by the translocation of TLR7/8 to the endosome. We show now that endosomal NOX is required for the rapid translocation of TLR3, TLR7/8, and TLR9. Deficiency of gp91phox, the catalytic subunit of NOX2, or inhibition of endosomal NOX by the chloride channel blocker niflumic acid both prevent immediate (i.e., within 30 min) translocation of these TLRs as shown by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Under these conditions, the induction of mRNA synthesis for TNF-α and secretion of TNF-α is delayed by approx. 6-9 h. However, maximal expression of TNF-α mRNA or secretion of TNF-α is not significantly reduced. In conclusion, these data add NOX2 as another component involved in the orchestration of cellular responses to ligands of endosomal TLRs.