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Expression of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 3 on Esophageal Epithelial Cell Lines and on Eosinophils During Esophagitis

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Abstract

Background

The chronic disease eosinophilic esophagitis may be mediated by the innate immune system. Activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in other tissues is known to initiate eosinophil infiltration, thus TLRs may be a potential mediator of esophageal eosinophilia. Little is known about TLRs in the esophagus.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to identify the presence and activation of TLR2 and TLR3 on esophageal epithelial cell lines, primary epithelial cells and mucosal esophageal biopsies.

Methods

TLR2 and TLR3 were identified by immunocytochemistry and immunoblot. PCR assessed alterations to gene expression by activation of TLR2 and TLR3. Immunohistochemistry co-localized eosinophils and TLR2/TLR3 on esophageal biopsies.

Results

TLR2 and TLR3 were expressed on the esophageal adenocarcinoma cell lines TE-1 and TE-7, but only TLR3 was present on the esophageal epithelial cell line HET-1A. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin gene expression was altered in response to ligands zymosan and polyI:C, demonstrating activation. Primary esophageal epithelial cells did not express TLR2 or TLR3. In esophageal biopsies, TLR2 and TLR3 expression was limited to eosinophils and other immune cells during esophagitis.

Conclusions

TLR2 and TLR3 expression on cultured esophageal epithelial cells differs from TLR2 and TLR3 expression in esophageal biopsies, which is limited to immune cells during esophagitis.

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Abbreviations

EDN:

Eosinophil derived neurotoxin

EoE:

Eosinophilic esophagitis

HPF:

High power field

PAMP:

Pathogen-associated molecular pattern

PRR:

Pattern recognition receptor

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge support from Kingston General Hospital and the Queen’s University Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit. The research is funded by Physicians’ Services Incorporated (PSI) Grant: PAED-237-09.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Daniel J. Mulder

  2. Department of Biology and Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    David Lobo

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Nanette Mak

  4. Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Pediatrics, Physiology and Medicine, Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Christopher J. Justinich

  5. Watkins 3, Rm 4-316, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada

    Christopher J. Justinich

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  1. Daniel J. Mulder
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  4. Christopher J. Justinich
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Correspondence to Christopher J. Justinich.

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Mulder, D.J., Lobo, D., Mak, N. et al. Expression of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 3 on Esophageal Epithelial Cell Lines and on Eosinophils During Esophagitis. Dig Dis Sci 57, 630–642 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1907-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1907-4

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