Role of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in the Proinflammatory Response to Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Strains Deficient in Production of Cholera Toxin and Accessory Toxins

Following intranasal inoculation, Vibrio cholerae KFV101 ([Delta]ctxAB [Delta]hapA [Delta]hlyA [Delta]rtxA) colonizes and stimulates tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1{szligbeta} (IL-1{szligbeta}) in mice, similar to what occurs with isogenic strain P4 ([Delta]ctxAB), but is less virulent and stimulates reduced levels of IL-6, demonstrating a role for accessory toxins in pathogenesis. Morbidity is enhanced in C3H/HeJ mice, indicating that Toll-like receptor 4 is important for infection containment.