Expression of Toll-like receptors in human endometrial epithelial cells and cell lines.
OBJECTIVE
Are toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed by human endometrium and endometrial cell lines?


METHODS
Expression of each TLR mRNA species was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of proliferative-phase human endometrium, separated endometrial epithelial cells, and the Ishikawa and RL95-2 endometrial epithelial cell lines. U-937 and SKW 6.4 cell lines were used as positive controls. Functional relevance of PCR findings was tested by enzyme-linked immunsorbent assay (ELISA)analysis of IL-8 production after stimulating cell lines with ligands for TLR2-5.


RESULTS
TLR1-6 and 9 mRNA species were detected in both whole endometrium and separated endometrial epithelial cells. Ishikawa cells expressed TLR2 and TLR5, while RL95-2 cells expressed TLR3, 5, and 9. Response of RL95-2, Ishikawa, and U-937 cells to TLR2-5 ligands was consistent with RT-PCR findings except response to flagellin by Ishikawa cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies provide the first evidence of TLR expression in the endometrium of any species and suggest the usefulness of endometrial cell lines to study TLR function.
Young
Steven L
SL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. youngst@health.missouri.edu
Lyddon
Terri D
TD
Jorgenson
Rebecca L
RL
Misfeldt
Michael L
ML
D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D051194:Toll-Like Receptor 1; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3; D051198:Toll-Like Receptor 5; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
D016209:Interleukin-8; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495344:TLR3 protein, human; C495346:TLR5 protein, human; D051194:Toll-Like Receptor 1; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3; D051198:Toll-Like Receptor 5; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D011494:Protein Kinases