Angiopoietin 4 Decreases TLR Expression on Monocytes in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease in which myelin sheaths are under the attack of T cells. Angiopoietin 4 is a tyrosine kinase receptor that is expressed and activated in endothelial cells and some hematopoietic cells during development. Normal angiogenesis relies on this receptor. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are sensitive receptors with the capability of establishing signals toward pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Methods: Thirty MS patients were referred to an MS clinic in Imam Reza hospital with different stages ranging from mild to moderate and acute choices. Right after phlebotomy monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Flow cytometry and CD14 were used to evaluate monocyte purity percentage, and cultured monocytes were treated with angiopoietin 4 protein. After stimulation, all cells were gathered, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) declared the amount of TLR2 and TLR4 activeness. Results: The findings revealed the fact that time has a determinative effect on the TLR2 and TLR4 activity levels. Twelve hours of time-lapse right after stimulation resulted in the minimum amount of decrease in TLR2 and TLR4. Comparing TLR2 and TLR4, it was noted that they both exhibited the same amount of decrease. Further, angiopoietin 4’s function was estimated by means of the time course. Conclusion: Real-time PCR revealed that angiopoietin 4 has a considerable effect on the decrease of immune receptors such as TLR2 and TLR4.