title: Overexpression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 mRNA in feline polymorphonuclear neutrophils exposed to Microsporum canis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), along with macrophages, are the first leukocytes recruited to the site of infection in dermatophytoses and are responsible for the in fine elimination of the fungus. It has been demonstrated that feline PMNs produce pro-inflammatory cytokines after stimulation with Microsporum canis. The activation of these cells results from the recognition of specific PAMPs (pathogen associated molecular patterns) from M. canis by PRRs (pattern recognition receptors) of PMNs. The C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the two main PRRs in phagocytic cells that recognize fungal components.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of TLR-2, TLR-4 and dectin-1 mRNA in feline PMNs exposed to different components from M. canis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Feline PMNs were stimulated for 2 h or 4 h with either live arthroconidia, heat-killed arthroconidia or secreted components from M. canis. The levels of TLR-2, TLR-4 and dectin-1 mRNA were assessed by RT-qPCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed an increase of TLR-2 and TLR-4 mRNA levels in feline PMNs stimulated with live and heat-killed arthroconidia, but not in those stimulated with the secreted components from M. canis. No significant variation in dectin-1 mRNA expression was observed in PMNs stimulated with the different fungal components.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overexpression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 mRNAs in stimulated feline PMNs suggests that these receptors are involved in the host immune response through the recognition of M. canis PAMPs.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Mycology, FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster, 20 B-43a, Liège, 4000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ludivine C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Cambier
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Mycology, FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster, 20 B-43a, Liège, 4000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre A-L
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Heinen
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Mycology, FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster, 20 B-43a, Liège, 4000, Belgium.|Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Manastur Street, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.
authors.forename: Elena T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Bagut
authors.affiliation: Animal Histology, FARAH, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster, 20 B-43a, Liège, 4000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nadine A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Antoine
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Mycology, FARAH (Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster, 20 B-43a, Liège, 4000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bernard R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Mignon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008864:Microsporum; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013172:Spores, Fungal; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099181:Dectin-1
chemical_list: D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D000099181:Dectin-1