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Abstract Endosomal nucleic acid sensing by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is central to antimicrobial immunity and several autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The innate immune adaptor TASL mediates, via the interaction with SLC15A4, the activation of IRF5 downstream of human TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9, but the pathophysiological functions of this axis remain unexplored. Here we show that SLC15A4 deficiency results in a selective block of TLR7/9-induced IRF5 activation, while loss of TASL leads to a strong but incomplete impairment, which depends on the cell type and TLR engaged. This residual IRF5 activity is ascribed to a previously uncharacterized paralogue, Gm6377, named here TASL2. Double knockout of TASL and TASL2 (TASLDKO) phenocopies SLC15A4-deficient feeble mice showing comparable impairment of innate and humoral responses. Consequently, TASLDKO mice fail to control chronic LCMV infection, while being protected in a pristane-induced SLE disease model. Our study thus demonstrates the critical pathophysiological role of SLC15A4 and TASL/TASL2 for TLR7/9-driven inflammatory responses, further supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting this complex in SLE and related diseases.

Abstract Dysregulation of pathogen-recognition pathways of the innate immune system is associated with multiple autoimmune disorders. Due to the intricacies of the molecular network involved, the identification of pathway- and disease-specific therapeutics has been challenging. Using a phenotypic assay monitoring the degradation of the immune adapter TASL, we identify feeblin, a chemical entity which inhibits the nucleic acid-sensing TLR7/8 pathway activating IRF5 by disrupting the SLC15A4-TASL adapter module. A high-resolution cryo-EM structure of feeblin with SLC15A4 reveals that the inhibitor binds a lysosomal outward-open conformation incompatible with TASL binding on the cytoplasmic side, leading to degradation of TASL. This mechanism of action exploits a conformational switch and converts a target-binding event into proteostatic regulation of the effector protein TASL, interrupting the TLR7/8-IRF5 signaling pathway and preventing downstream proinflammatory responses. Considering that all components involved have been genetically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and that feeblin blocks responses in disease-relevant human immune cells from patients, the study represents a proof-of-concept for the development of therapeutics against this disease.

Summary: Endolysosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play crucial roles in immune responses to pathogens, while aberrant activation of these pathways is associated with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The endolysosomal solute carrier family 15 member 4 (SLC15A4) is required for TLR7/8/9-induced responses and disease development in SLE models. SLC15A4 has been proposed to affect TLR7–9 activation through its transport activity, as well as by assembling an IRF5-activating complex with TASL, but the relative contribution of these functions remains unclear. Here, we show that the essential role of SLC15A4 is to recruit TASL to endolysosomes, while its transport activity is dispensable when TASL is tethered to this compartment. Endolysosomal-localized TASL rescues TLR7–9-induced IRF5 activation as well as interferon β and cytokine production in SLC15A4-deficient cells. SLC15A4 acts as signaling scaffold, and this function is essential to control TLR7–9-mediated inflammatory responses. These findings support targeting the SLC15A4-TASL complex as a potential therapeutic strategy for SLE and related diseases.