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Infection and Immunity, October 2004, p. 5799-5806, Vol. 72, No. 10
0019-9567/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.72.10.5799-5806.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Differential Expression of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 in Tissues of the Human Female Reproductive Tract

Patricia A. Pioli,1* Eyal Amiel,1 Todd M. Schaefer,1 John E. Connolly,1,{dagger} Charles R. Wira,1 and Paul M. Guyre1,2

Departments of Physiology and of,1 Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire2

Received 12 April 2004/ Returned for modification 19 June 2004/ Accepted 1 July 2004

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signal transduction is a central component of the innate immune response to pathogenic challenge. Although recent studies have begun to elucidate differences in acquired immunity in tissues of the human female reproductive tract, there is a relative paucity of work regarding innate defense mechanisms. We investigated TLR mRNA and protein expression in tissues of the human female reproductive tract. Constitutive mRNA expression of TLRs 1 to 6 was observed in fallopian tubes, uterine endometrium, cervix, and ectocervix. Furthermore, transcripts of the signaling adapter MyD88 and the accessory molecule CD14 were also detected in all tissues assayed. Quantitative analysis of TLR2 mRNA levels revealed highest expression of this molecule in fallopian tube and cervical tissues, followed by endometrium and ectocervix. In contrast to TLR2, TLR4 expression declined progressively along the tract, with highest expression in the upper tissues (fallopian tubes and endometrium), followed by cervix and ectocervix. In addition to mRNA, protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was also documented in these tissues. These data suggest that TLRs are differentially expressed in distinct compartments of the female reproductive tract and may provide insight regarding the regulation of inflammation and immunity within the tract.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Physiology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756. Phone: (603) 650-8105. Fax: (603) 650-6130. E-mail: pioli{at}dartmouth.edu.

Editor: J. D. Clements

{dagger} Present address: Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, Dallas, TX 75204.

Infection and Immunity, October 2004, p. 5799-5806, Vol. 72, No. 10
0019-9567/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.72.10.5799-5806.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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