Previous Article | Next Article 
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,
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
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.
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Trifonova, R. T., Doncel, G. F., Fichorova, R. N.
(2009). Polyanionic Microbicides Modify Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Cervicovaginal Immune Responses. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.
53: 1490-1500
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
McGowin, C. L., Ma, L., Martin, D. H., Pyles, R. B.
(2009). Mycoplasma genitalium-Encoded MG309 Activates NF-{kappa}B via Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 6 To Elicit Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion from Human Genital Epithelial Cells. Infect. Immun.
77: 1175-1181
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Dalgetty, D.M., Sallenave, J.M., Critchley, H.O.D., Williams, A.R., Tham, W.Y., King, A.E., Horne, A.W.
(2008). Altered secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor expression in the uterine decidua of tubal compared with intrauterine pregnancy. Hum Reprod
23: 1485-1490
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Horne, A. W, Stock, S. J, King, A. E
(2008). Innate immunity and disorders of the female reproductive tract. Reproduction
135: 739-749
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Palladino, M.A., Johnson, T.A., Gupta, R., Chapman, J.L., Ojha, P.
(2007). Members of the Toll-Like Receptor Family of Innate Immunity Pattern-Recognition Receptors Are Abundant in the Male Rat Reproductive Tract. Biol. Reprod.
76: 958-964
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Koga, K., Mor, G.
(2007). Toll-like Receptors and Pregnancy. Reproductive Sciences
14: 297-299
-
Garcia-Verdugo, I., Leiber, D., Robin, P., Billon-Denis, E., Chaby, R., Tanfin, Z.
(2007). Direct Interaction of Surfactant Protein A with Myometrial Binding Sites: Signaling and Modulation by Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide. Biol. Reprod.
76: 681-691
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Mackern-Oberti, J. P., Maccioni, M., Cuffini, C., Gatti, G., Rivero, V. E.
(2006). Susceptibility of Prostate Epithelial Cells to Chlamydia muridarum Infection and Their Role in Innate Immunity by Recruitment of Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors 4 and 2 and MyD88 to the Inclusion. Infect. Immun.
74: 6973-6981
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
den Hartog, J.E., Morre, S.A., Land, J.A.
(2006). Chlamydia trachomatis-associated tubal factor subfertility: immunogenetic aspects and serological screening. Hum Reprod Update
12: 719-730
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Equils, O., Lu, D., Gatter, M., Witkin, S. S., Bertolotto, C., Arditi, M., McGregor, J. A., Simmons, C. F., Hobel, C. J.
(2006). Chlamydia Heat Shock Protein 60 Induces Trophoblast Apoptosis through TLR4. J. Immunol.
177: 1257-1263
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Rosenberg, H. F.
(2006). Interview with Dr. Paul Guyre and Mr. Lehn Weaver regarding Pivotal Advance: Activation of cell surface Toll-like receptors causes shedding of the hemoglobin scavenger receptor CD163. J. Leukoc. Biol.
80: 24-25
[Full Text]
-
Soboll, G., Shen, L., Wira, C. R.
(2006). Expression of Toll-Like Receptors (TLR) and Responsiveness to TLR Agonists by Polarized Mouse Uterine Epithelial Cells in Culture. Biol. Reprod.
75: 131-139
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Eriksson, M., Meadows, S. K., Basu, S., Mselle, T. F., Wira, C. R., Sentman, C. L.
(2006). TLRs Mediate IFN-{gamma} Production by Human Uterine NK Cells in Endometrium. J. Immunol.
176: 6219-6224
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Herath, S., Fischer, D. P., Werling, D., Williams, E. J., Lilly, S. T., Dobson, H., Bryant, C. E., Sheldon, I. M.
(2006). Expression and Function of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in the Endometrial Cells of the Uterus. Endocrinology
147: 562-570
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Derbigny, W. A., Kerr, M. S., Johnson, R. M.
(2005). Pattern Recognition Molecules Activated by Chlamydia muridarum Infection of Cloned Murine Oviduct Epithelial Cell Lines. J. Immunol.
175: 6065-6075
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Crane-Godreau, M. A., Wira, C. R.
(2005). Effects of Estradiol on Lipopolysaccharide and Pam3Cys Stimulation of CCL20/Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 3 Alpha and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Production by Uterine Epithelial Cells in Culture. Infect. Immun.
73: 4231-4237
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
-
Schaefer, T. M., Fahey, J. V., Wright, J. A., Wira, C. R.
(2005). Innate Immunity in the Human Female Reproductive Tract: Antiviral Response of Uterine Epithelial Cells to the TLR3 Agonist Poly(I:C). J. Immunol.
174: 992-1002
[Abstract]
[Full Text]