Differential expressions of toll-like receptor genes in the vagina of pregnant mice

Cell-Specific Expression Pattern of Toll-Like Receptors and Their Roles in Animal Reproduction

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a part of the innate immune system, have critical roles in protection against infections and involve in basic pathology and physiology. Secreted molecules from the body or pathogens could be a ligand for induction of the TLR system. There are many immune and non-immune types of cells that express at a least single TLR on their surface or cytoplasm. Those cells may be a player in a defense system or in the physiological regulation mechanisms. Reproductive tract and organs contain different types of cells that have essential functions such as hormone production, providing an environment for embryo/fetus, germ cell production, etc. Although lower parts of reproductive organs are in a relationship with outsider contaminants (bacteria, viruses, etc.), upper parts should be sterile to provide a healthy pregnancy and germ cell production. In those areas, TLRs bear controller or regulator roles. In this chapter, we will provide current information about physiological functions of TLR in the cells of the reproductive organs and tract, and especially about their roles in follicle selection, maturation, follicular atresia, ovulation, corpus luteum (CL) formation and regression, establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, sperm production, maturation, capacitation as well as the relationship between TLR polymorphism and reproduction in domestic animals. We will also discuss pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)-induced TLRs that involve in reproductive inflammation/pathology.

Decreased Toll-like receptor-2 messenger ribonucleic acid and increased Toll-like receptor-4 in the tubal epithelium next to the infiltrated trophoblasts during tubal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression patterns of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 in the tubal epithelial cells next to the infiltrated trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface during tubal pregnancy.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING

University-based obstetrics and gynecology hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Thirty-seven women undergoing salpingectomy for tubal ampullary pregnancy and nine nonpregnant patients with benign uterine or appendix disease.

INTERVENTION(S)

Oviduct tissues with ectopic gestations were separated into implantation site (group 1) and nonimplantation site (group 2). Tissues from ampullary fallopian tubes during mid-secretory phase (group 3) were collected as the control group. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Differences of TLR2 and TLR4 expression patterns between group 1 and group 2 and between the pregnant group (combined group 1 and group 2) and the nonpregnant group (group 3).

RESULT(S)

Comparing the pregnant group with group 3, TLR4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were both significantly up-regulated in the pregnant group. In contrast, TLR2 mRNA was significantly down-regulated, whereas TLR2 protein showed a tendency toward reduction. Detailed analysis between group 1 and group 3 revealed statistically significantly higher TLR2 and TLR4 protein in group 1. In terms of mRNA, TLR4 expression was still shown to be significantly increased in group 1, whereas TLR2 expression was markedly decreased in group 1.

CONCLUSION(S)

Decreased TLR2 mRNA and increased TLR4 in the tubal epithelial cells next to the infiltrated trophoblasts may be associated with aspects of the pathophysiology of tubal ectopic pregnancy in immune defense.