450: A functional role for the novel toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) adaptor protein, soluble myeloid differentiation-2 (MD2), in modulating human intra-amniotic immune responses

Abstract

TLR4 is a pattern recognition transmembrane receptor that plays a key role in innate immunity by mediating inflammatory responses to Gram (−) pathogens via release of cytokines such as TNF. MD2 is a novel chaperone membrane protein whose presence is required for full TLR4 activation and signal transduction. A truncated soluble form of MD2 (sMD2) is believed to act as either a suppressor or facilitator of TLR4 signaling. Little is known about this protein in normal pregnancies and those with intra-amniotic infection.