TLR4-NFkB-phospho-NF-kB signaling in BMDM

The model was constructed to describe TLR4 induced NF-κB activation in native bone marrow-derived macrophages. It included processes of ligand (lipopolysaccharide) recognition, formation of dimer receptor complex and further signal transduction through TRAF6/TAK1 complex that leads to the activation of IKKα/β kinase, which in turn enables the NF-κB transcription factor phosphorylation and translocation in the cell nucleus, and induction of IkB and WIP1 (as an example of induced protein that promotes NF-κB dephosphorylation 2) gene transcription. Models were based on the current knowledge of TLR signaling framework, protein interactions within the TLR4 pathway, and up-to-date mathematical models describing Toll receptor activation.
The major important additions were made to TLR4 signaling description:
1) Receptor dimerization process
2) The existence of a basal nuclear NF-κB level (translocation)
3) NF-κB phosphorylation by IKK complex