The flagellin:allergen fusion protein rFlaA:Betv1 induces a MyD88- and MAPK-dependent activation of glucose metabolism in macrophages

Background: Fusion proteins containing the TLR5-ligand flagellin are potential novel vaccine candidates for many different diseases. A recombinant fusion protein of flagellin A and the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 (rFlaA:Betv1), suggested for allergy intervention, was recently shown to modulate immune responses via a mTOR-dependent activation in myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). However, the effect of flagellin fusion proteins on macrophages and involved molecular mechanism remain to be investigated. Objective: To study the effects of rFlaA:Betv1 on bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs).