title: Toll-Like Receptor-2 and -4 Expression by Maternal Neutrophils in Preterm Labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The inflammatory response in preterm parturition is regulated by the innate immune system. Toll-like receptors (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 are innate immune receptors that recognize the microorganisms most frequently involved in amniotic cavity infections, which are associated with activating the inflammatory response at the maternal-fetal interface during preterm labor. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in maternal neutrophils in preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Obstetrics Care Unit of Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Brazil. The preterm group was composed of 20 pregnant women who presented preterm labor and preterm delivery. The control group was composed of 20 nonlaboring pregnant women matched to the preterm group by gestational age. Neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood and TLR expressions were performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gene expressions of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in neutrophils from the preterm group were statistically higher than expressions in neutrophils from the matched control group. The percentage of TLR-4+ neutrophils was higher in the preterm group than the matched control group, while the percentage of TLR-2+ neutrophils did not differ between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TLR-4 expression in maternal neutrophils is associated with spontaneous preterm labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prearo Moço
authors.forename: Renata Aparecida
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Camargo Batista
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fernandes Martin
authors.forename: Leandro Gustavo
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Cristina Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Garcia de Lima Parada
authors.forename: Luciane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alarcão Dias-Melicio
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Assis Golim
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guimarães da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4
keywords: Innate immunity; Neutrophils; Pregnancy; Preterm delivery; Toll-like receptors