Analysis of stage-specific expression of the toll-like receptor family in the porcine endometrium throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy

Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play critical roles in innate immunity by regulating antimicrobial responses in mucosal tissues. The expression and function of TLRs in female reproductive tissues have been studied in several species, but the expression and function of TLRs and MYD88, an adaptor molecule in the TLR signaling pathway, at the maternal-conceptus interface are not well understood in pigs. Thus, we determined the expression of TLR1 - TLR10 and MYD88 in the endometrium, conceptus, and chorioallantoic tissues of pigs. TLR1 - TLR10 and MYD88 mRNAs were expressed in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in a stage-dependent manner. TLR and MYD88 mRNAs were also detected in early stage conceptuses and chorioallantoic tissues from Day 30 to term pregnancy. The expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7 was localized to epithelial and stromal cells in endometrial and chorioallantoic tissues. Increasing doses of P4, but not E2, induced the expression of TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7, and TLR8, while interferon-γ increased the expression of TLR2 and TLR7 in endometrial explant tissues. Expression of TLR3, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7, and MYD88 was higher in the endometrium with somatic cell nucleus transfer-derived conceptuses than conceptuses derived from natural mating on Day 12. These results indicate that the expression of TLR1 - TLR10 and MYD88 is dynamically regulated at the maternal-conceptus interface in pigs, suggesting that TLRs expressed in the endometrium and the placenta may play a critical role in regulating mucosal immune responses to support the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.