Lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus mutans interacts with Toll-like receptor 2 through the lipid moiety for induction of inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages

- LTA of Streptococcus mutans (Sm.LTA) has a modest immuno-stimulatory potential.
- Sm.LTA preferentially binds to and stimulates cells expressing TLR2 and CD14.
- Sm.LTA does not stimulate macrophages derived from TLR2-deficient mice.
- Deacylated Sm.LTA neither stimulates TLR2 nor induces inflammatory mediators.
- Sm.LTA interacts with TLR2 through its lipid moiety for induction of inflammation.