Abstract
Background
We investigated the expression profile of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and TLR ligand-activated production profile of asthma-related inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic patients. The expression of TLR1–8 on monocytes, CD4+ T helper lymphocytes, CD8+ T cytotoxic lymphocytes, CD19+ B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells, and ex vivo production of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells activated by TLR ligands were measured by flow cytometry.
Discussion
Ex vivo productions of TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-1β by TLR4 and TLR5 ligand LPS and flagellin were significantly lower in asthmatic patients (all P < 0.05). Expression of TLR4 and TLR5 was also found to be significantly lower in asthmatic patients when compared to that of control subjects (all P < 0.05). Therefore, the decreased activation of TLR4 and TLR5 in asthmatic patients might contribute to the immunopathological mechanisms of asthma by reducing the release of Th1 and anti-inflammatory cytokines.






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Samantha W. M. Lun and C. K. Wong contributed equally to this study.
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Lun, S.W.M., Wong, C.K., Ko, F.W.S. et al. Expression and Functional Analysis of Toll-Like Receptors of Peripheral Blood Cells in Asthmatic Patients: Implication for Immunopathological Mechanism in Asthma. J Clin Immunol 29, 330–342 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-008-9269-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-008-9269-1