Impaired Innate Immunity in Mice Deficient in Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 4 Leads to Defective Type 1 T Cell Responses, B Cell Expansion, and Enhanced Susceptibility to Infection with Toxoplasma gondii

Interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R)-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a member of the IRAK family and has an important role in induc-ing the production of inflammatory mediators. This kinase is downstream of MyD88, an adaptor protein essential for Toll-like receptor (TLR) function. We investigated the role of this kinase in IRAK4-deficient mice orally infected with the cystogenic ME49 strain of Toxoplasma gondii. IRAK4/mice displayed higher morbidity, tissue parasitism, and accelerated mortality than the control mice. The lymphoid follicles and germinal centers from infected IRAK4/ mice were significantly smaller. We consistently found that IRAK4/mice showed a defect in splenic B cell activation and expansion as well as diminished production of gamma interferon (IFN-) by T lymphocytes. The myeloid compartment was also affected. Both the frequency and ability of dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes/macrophages to produce IL-12 were significantly decreased, and resistance to infection with Toxoplasma was rescued by treating IRAK4/mice with recombinant IL-12 (rIL-12). Additionally, we report the association of IRAK4 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) with congenital toxoplasmosis in infected individuals (rs1461567 and rs4251513, P< 0.023 and P<0.045, respectively). Thus, signaling via IRAK4 is essential for the activation of innate immune cells, development of parasite-specific acquired immunity, and host resistance to infection with T. gondii.