Lipoprotein is a predominant Toll-like receptor 2 ligand in Staphylococcus aureus cell wall components

Abstract
Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) derived from Staphylococcus aureus is reported to be a ligand of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). In this study, we demonstrated that lipoproteins obtained from S. aureus are potent activators of TLR2. A fraction obtained by Triton X-114 phase partitioning activated cells through TLR2. The fraction contained proteins and LTA. The activity was detected in compounds in a mass range of 12–40 kDa. Proteinase K digested the active compounds into lower molecular weight active materials S. aureus cell wall components.