Contrasting effects of the Toll-like receptor 4 in determining ovarian follicle endowment and fertility in female adult mice

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Júlio Panzera Gonçalves ◽  
Breno Augusto Magalhães ◽  
Paulo Henrique Almeida Campos-Junior

Abstract Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is best known for its role in bacteria-produced lipopolysaccharide recognition. Regarding female reproduction, TLR4 is expressed by murine cumulus cells and participates in ovulation and in cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) expansion, maternal–fetal interaction and preterm labour. Despite these facts, the role of TLR4 in ovarian physiology is not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of TLR4 genetic ablation on mice folliculogenesis and female fertility, through analysis of reproductive crosses, ovarian responsiveness and follicular quantification in TLR4−/− (n = 94) and C57BL/6 mice [wild type (WT), n = 102]. TLR4-deficient pairs showed a reduced number of pups per litter (P = 0.037) compared with WT. TLR4−/− mice presented more primordial, primary, secondary and antral follicles (P < 0.001), however there was no difference in estrous cyclicity (P > 0.05). A lower (P = 0.006) number of COC was recovered from TLR4−/− mice oviducts after superovulation, and in heterozygous pairs, TLR4−/− females also showed a reduction in the pregnancy rate and in the number of fetuses per uterus (P = 0.007) when compared with WT. Altogether, these data suggest that TLR4 plays a role in the regulation of murine folliculogenesis and in determining ovarian endowment. TLR4 deficiency may affect ovulation and pregnancy rates, potentially decreasing fertility, therefore the potential side effects of its blockade have to be carefully investigated.

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 77S
Author(s):  
Ali Navi ◽  
Rebekah Yu ◽  
Xu Shi-Wen ◽  
Sidney Shaw ◽  
George Hamilton ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwi Jin Ko ◽  
Dae Young Jung ◽  
Zhexi Ma ◽  
Jason K Kim

Increasing evidence implicates the role of inflammation in diabetes and complications. Macrophages are shown to infiltrate adipose tissue in obesity, and inflammatory cytokines alter glucose metabolism in peripheral organs. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD; 55% fat by calories) or chow diet for 6 weeks, and heart samples were taken for analysis (n = 5~7). Chronic HFD increased whole body fat mass, measured by 1 H-MRS, by 3-fold, and elevated plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels by 40%. Diet-induced obesity caused inflammation in heart and increased macrophage-specific CD68 levels by 5-fold (Fig. 1) (* P < 0.05 vs Chow). Diet-induced cardiac inflammation was associated with significant increases in toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and MyD88 levels in heart (Fig. 2). HFD also increased cardiomyocyte SOCS3 levels by more than 3-fold (Fig. 3). Myocardial glucose metabolism was measured using intravenous injection of 2-[ 14 C]deoxyglucose in awake mice (n = 6). Chronic HFD reduced myocardial glucose uptake by 50%, and this was associated with significant reductions in total GLUT4 and GLUT1 protein levels. Further, Thr 172 phosphorylation of AMPK, a critical regulator of energy balance, was markedly reduced in heart following HFD (Fig. 4). These results demonstrate that diet-induced obesity causes macrophage infiltration and inflammation in heart by increasing TLR4 signaling in cardiomyocytes. Similar to the effects of inflammation on peripheral glucose metabolism, diet-induced cardiac inflammation reduced myocardial glucose metabolism by downregulating AMPK and GLUT protein levels. Thus, our findings underscore an important role of inflammation in diabetic heart.


2007 ◽  
Vol 128 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 409-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Almut Nebel ◽  
Friederike Flachsbart ◽  
Arne Schäfer ◽  
Michael Nothnagel ◽  
Susanna Nikolaus ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Molteni ◽  
Sabrina Gemma ◽  
Carlo Rossetti

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) belongs to the family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). They are highly conserved receptors that recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), thus representing the first line of defense against infections. TLR4 has been long recognized as the sensing receptor for gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, it also binds endogenous molecules produced as a result of tissue injury. Hence, TLR4 represents a key receptor on which both infectious and noninfectious stimuli converge to induce a proinflammatory response. TLR4-mediated inflammation, triggered by exogenous or endogenous ligands, is also involved in several acute and chronic diseases, having a pivotal role as amplifier of the inflammatory response. This review focuses on the research progress about the role of TLR4 activation in infectious and noninfectious (e.g., sterile) inflammation and the effects of TLR4 signaling in some pathological conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruyan Wu ◽  
Jun-Xu Li

The emphasis of neuronal alterations and adaptations have long been the main focus of the studies of the mechanistic underpinnings of drug addiction. Recent studies have begun to appreciate the role of innate immune system, especially toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in drug reward-associated behaviors and physiology. Drugs like opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants activate TLR4 signaling and subsequently induce proinflammatory responses, which in turn contributes to the development of drug addiction. Inhibition of TLR4 or its downstream effectors attenuated the reinforcing effects of opioids, alcohol and psychostimulants, and this effect is also involved in the withdrawal and relapse-like behaviors of different drug classes. However, conflicting results also argue that TLR4-related immune response may play a minimal part in drug addiction. This review discussed the preclinical evidence that whether TLR4 signaling is involved in multiple drug classes action and the possible mechanisms underlying this effect. Moreover, clinical studies which examined the potential efficacy of immune-base pharmacotherapies in treating drug addiction are also discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 315 ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Jie Shi ◽  
Hai-Feng Gong ◽  
Quan-Quan Zhao ◽  
Xiao-Shuang Liu ◽  
Cong Liu ◽  
...  

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