Herbst-Kralovetz Melissa M, Quayle Alison J, Ficarra Mercedes, Greene Sheila, Rose William A, Chesson Ralph, Spagnuolo Rae Ann, Pyles Richard B
Department of Pediatrics, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0436, USA.
Am J Reprod Immunol. 2008 Mar;59(3):212-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2007.00566.x. Epub 2008 Jan 12.
To better understand innate immune responses to sexually-transmitted infection (STI) and the appropriateness of epithelial cell (EC) models of the vaginal and cervical mucosa, quantified toll-like receptor (TLR) expression from a population of women is needed.
TLR gene expression was quantified in primary and immortalized endocervical, ectocervical, and vaginal EC from multiple donors. TLR bioactivity was evaluated by cytokine elaboration.
TLR1-3 and 5-9 were expressed in each EC type with TLR2, 3, 5, 6 and CD14 expressed most abundantly. TLR4 was expressed by endocervical and vaginal EC. Agonist stimulation of TLR2, 3, 5 and 6 elicited cytokines. TLR4 and 7-9 were minimally expressed and were not consistently bioactive. Immortalized EC generally modeled primary cultures but elaborated significantly reduced cytokine levels.
TLR expression patterns were remarkably conserved across the study population and evaluated tissues indicating a predictable responsiveness to STI. The results support cautious use of immortalized cells for genital tract modeling.
为了更好地理解对性传播感染（STI）的先天免疫反应以及阴道和宫颈粘膜上皮细胞（EC）模型的适用性，需要对一群女性的 toll 样受体（TLR）表达进行量化。
对来自多个供体的原发性和永生化宫颈内膜、宫颈外膜和阴道上皮细胞中的 TLR 基因表达进行了量化。通过细胞因子的分泌来评估 TLR 的生物活性。
TLR1 - 3 和 5 - 9 在每种上皮细胞类型中均有表达，其中 TLR2、3、5、6 和 CD14 表达最为丰富。TLR4 由宫颈内膜和阴道上皮细胞表达。TLR2、3、5 和 6 的激动剂刺激可引发细胞因子分泌。TLR4 和 7 - 9 表达水平极低且生物活性不稳定。永生化上皮细胞通常可模拟原代培养，但分泌的细胞因子水平显著降低。
在整个研究人群和评估的组织中，TLR 表达模式具有显著的保守性，表明对性传播感染具有可预测的反应性。结果支持在生殖道建模中谨慎使用永生化细胞。
