Abstract |
Pyometra is the most common uterine disease in queens. To protect itself from infection, the female reproductive tract possesses several immune mechanisms that are based on germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors ( toll-like receptors [TLRs]). The aim of our study was to examine endometrial immunolocalization of TLR2/4, study the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α on messenger RNA expression of both receptors in pyometric queens, and compare these patterns between estrous cycling queens and those hormonally treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Thirty-six queens, ranging in age from 7 months to 11 years, were allocated into seven groups (anestrus, estrus, mid-diestrus and late diestrus, short-term and long-term hormonally treated queens, and pyometric queens). At the messenger RNA level, the real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied, whereas at the TLR2/4 protein level, the expression was tested by immunohistochemistry. In queens at estrus, gene expression of TLR2 was upregulated after stimulation of endometrial explants by TNF (P < 0.001) and by TNF together with the LPS (P < 0.01). Moreover, gene expression of TLR2 was significantly upregulated after stimulation by TNF (P < 0.001) and LPS (P < 0.01) explants derived from queens that had been long-term hormonally treated with MPA. Endometrial gene expression of TLR4 was significantly upregulated after incubation of explants with TNF (P < 0.001) in queens at estrus and with LPS (P < 0.05) in queens short-term hormonally treated with MPA. Immunolocalization reported that TLR2/4 receptors are mainly localized in the surface and glandular epithelia. These data show that short-term and especially long-term administration of progesterone derivatives impairs TLRs in the endometrial epithelium, presumably enabling pathogens to break through this first natural barrier and thereby increase the risk of pyometra development.
|
Authors | E Jursza, M P Kowalewski, A Boos, D J Skarzynski, P Socha, M J Siemieniuch |
Journal | Theriogenology
(Theriogenology)
Vol. 83
Issue 4
Pg. 596-603
(Mar 01 2015)
ISSN: 1879-3231 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 25481489
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Copyright | Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Contraceptive Agents, Female
- Lipopolysaccharides
- RNA, Messenger
- Toll-Like Receptor 2
- Toll-Like Receptor 4
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
|
Topics |
- Animals
- Cat Diseases
(etiology, metabolism)
- Cats
- Contraceptive Agents, Female
(pharmacology)
- Estrous Cycle
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
(physiology)
- Lipopolysaccharides
(pharmacology)
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
(pharmacology)
- Pyometra
(etiology, metabolism, veterinary)
- RNA, Messenger
(genetics, metabolism)
- Toll-Like Receptor 2
(genetics, metabolism)
- Toll-Like Receptor 4
(genetics, metabolism)
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(pharmacology)
|