[Expression of blood Toll-like receptors and cytokines in children with recurrent herpes simplex].
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in children with recurrent herpes simplex, in order to investigate the role of TLR2 and TLR9 in recurrent herpes simplex.


METHODS
The expression of TLR2 and TLR9 in PBMC was examined by flow cytometer, and serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were detected using ELISA in 22 children with recurrent herpes simplex and in 13 age-matched healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
The expression of both TLR2 and TLR9 obviously increased in children with recurrent herpes simplex compared with that in healthy controls (p<0.01). Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 increased, while serum TNF-alpha levels decreased significantly in children with recurrent herpes simplex compared with those in healthy controls (p<0.01). There were positive correlations between TLR2 and TLR9 expression and serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in children with recurrent herpes simplex (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
TLR2 and TLR9 in PBMC may participate in the recognition of herpes simplex virus and activate the signal pathway of TLR in children with recurrent herpes simplex. The production and release of IL-6 and IL-10 might be mediated by TLR2 and TLR9.
Tang
Jian-Ping
JP
Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children' s Hospital, Changsha 410007, China. jpingtang@126.com
Yang
Yu-Jia
YJ
Sun
Lei
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000097:blood*
D016207:Cytokines; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495371:TLR9 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9