title: Role of Toll-like receptor 4 in inflammation-induced preterm delivery.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preterm delivery. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS in the presence or absence of previous TLR4 blockade was performed to establish a murine model of preterm delivery. The incidences of preterm delivery and fetal death were calculated. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the percentages of blood CD45(+)CD86(+), CD3(+)CD69(+), CD19(+)CD69(+) and CD49b(+)CD69(+) cell subsets, and the percentages of placenta CD45(+)CD86(+), CD45(+)CD49b(+) and CD49b(+)CD69(+) cell subpopulations. In our study, an inflammation-induced preterm delivery model was established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Blocking TLR4 significantly decreased LPS-induced preterm delivery and fetal death. LPS treatment markedly up-regulated the percentages of blood CD45(+)CD86(+), CD3(+)CD69(+) and CD49b(+)CD69(+) cells, and of placenta CD45(+)CD86(+), CD45(+)CD49b(+) and CD49b(+)CD69(+) cells. TLR4 blockade almost completely abrogated LPS-induced elevated cell proportions. These data demonstrate that TLR4 plays a critical role in inflammation-induced preterm delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangzhou Medical College Affiliated Guangzhou First Municipal People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510180, China. selinalee@tom.com
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jiali
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4