title: Differential induction of innate anti-viral responses by TLR ligands against Herpes simplex virus, type 2, infection in primary genital epithelium of women.
abstract: Genital epithelial cells (GECs) are the first line of mucosal defense against sexually transmitted infections. We exploited the ability of GECs to mount innate immune responses, by using TLR ligands to induce anti-viral activity against Herpes simplex virus, type 2 (HSV-2). Primary cultures of GECs were grown to confluent, polarized monolayers and found to express different levels of mRNA for TLR1-10. Innate anti-viral responses against HSV-2 infection were determined following treatment with eight different TLR ligands. HSV-2 replication was significantly inhibited following treatment with ligands for TLR3, 5 and 9, while lipo-polysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 ligand, failed to provide any protection. Biologically active interferon-beta and nitric oxide production by GECs correlated with anti-viral activity. Following treatment with TLR3 ligand Poly I:C, inflammatory cytokines were upregulated. Poly I:C treatment led to activation of downstream transcription factors including interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) and NFkappaB. Anti-viral responses induced by TLR ligands in GECs may provide a unique alternative to topical microbicides by enhancing body's own mucosal innate defense mechanisms against sexually transmitted viruses.
authors.affiliation: Center For Gene Therapeutics, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote Center for Learning and Discovery, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5.
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nazli
authors.forename: Xiao-Dan
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smieja
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ashkar
authors.forename: Charu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kaushic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D016899:Interferon-beta