AUTHOR=Salcedo Suzana , Marchesini María Ines , Degos Clara , Terwagne Matthieu , Von Bargen Kristine , Lepidi Hubert , Herrmann Claudia Karina , Santos Lacerda Thais Lourdes , Imbert Paul , Pierre Philippe , Alexopoulou Lena , Letesson Jean-Jacques , Comerci Diego J., Gorvel Jean-Pierre 

TITLE=BtpB, a novel Brucella TIR-containing effector protein with immune modulatory functions

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2013

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2013.00028

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2013.00028

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p>Several bacterial pathogens have TIR domain-containing proteins that contribute to their pathogenesis. We identified a second TIR-containing protein in <italic>Brucella</italic> spp. that we have designated BtpB. We show it is a potent inhibitor of TLR signaling, probably via MyD88. BtpB is a novel <italic>Brucella</italic> effector that is translocated into host cells and interferes with activation of dendritic cells. <italic>In vivo</italic> mouse studies revealed that BtpB is contributing to virulence and control of local inflammatory responses with relevance in the establishment of chronic brucellosis. Together, our results show that BtpB is a novel <italic>Brucella</italic> effector that plays a major role in the modulation of host innate immune response during infection.</p>