title: Functional expression of pattern recognition receptors in tissues of the human female reproductive tract.
abstract: The human female reproductive tract (FRT) must balance the requirements of procreation with the demands of protection from pathogen invasion. We hypothesize that the FRT expresses functional pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) proteins that may mediate these tasks. Expression of PRRs was evaluated in FRT tissues by RT-PCR. PRR function within FRT tissue cells was determined by CXCL8 (IL-8) production in response to treatment with PRR agonists. We now report that TLRs7-9 are expressed in Fallopian tube, uterine endometrium, cervix and ectocervix, while TLR10 expression is restricted to Fallopian tube. NOD1 and NOD2 and the signal transducer RICK were detected in all FRT tissues. Stimulation of FRT tissue cells with PRR ligands resulted in secretion of CXCL8. Results of these studies indicate that PRRs are functionally expressed in FRT tissues, and suggest that these receptors mediate microbial recognition and immune defense in the reproductive tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Karlene T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wira
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Guyre
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pioli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D053475:Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinase 2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D016209:Interleukin-8; C119067:NOD1 protein, human; C429018:NOD2 protein, human; D053474:Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D053475:Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinase 2; D000077271:Imiquimod