Viral Hepatitis
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2006; 12(8): 1198-1204
Published online Feb 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i8.1198
Distinct toll-like receptor expression in monocytes and T cells in chronic HCV infection
Angela Dolganiuc, Catherine Garcia, Karen Kodys, Gyongyi Szabo
Angela Dolganiuc, Catherine Garcia, Karen Kodys, Gyongyi Szabo. Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605-2324, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by PHS grant AA12862 (to GS), UMMS Center for AIDS Research Core Facility CFAR (grant 5P30 AI42845), Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center (PHS grant DK32520) and by NIH Summer Research Fellowship (to CG)
Correspondence to: Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Medicine, LRB 215, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, United States. gyongyi.szabo@umassmed.edu
Telephone: +1-508-856-5275 Fax: +1-508-856-4770
Received: September 14, 2005
Revised: October 15, 2005
Accepted: October 26, 2005
Published online: February 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: Hepatitis C virus often establishes chronic infections. Recent studies suggest that viral and bacterial infections are more common in HCV-infected patients compared to controls. Pathogens are recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to shape adaptive and innate immune responses.

METHODS: In this study, to assess the ability of HCV-infected host to recognize invading pathogens, we investigated Toll-like receptor expression in innate (monocytes) and adaptive (T cells) immune cells by real-time PCR.

RESULTS: We determined that RNA levels for TLRs 2, 6. 7, 8, 9 and 10 mRNA levels were upregulated in both monocytes and T cells in HCV-infected patients compared to controls. TLR4 was only upregulated in T lymphocytes, while TLR5 was selectively increased in monocytes of HCV-infected patients. MD-2, a TLR4 co-receptor, was increased in patients’ monocytes and T cells while CD14 and MyD88 were increased only in monocytes.

CONCLUSION: Our data reveal novel details on TLR expression that likely relates to innate recognition of pathogens and immune defense in HCV-infected individuals.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus, Toll-like receptors, T cells, Monocytes