21st Annual Student Research Conference
TLR4 Expression in Normal Neonatal Lung and in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Christopher G. Dove
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner and Dr. Richard Pierce (Washington University School of Medicine), Faculty Mentors
The ventilation of premature neonatal infants to maintain arterial oxygen levels often gives rise to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a disease characterized by scarred and inflamed lungs. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an essential receptor in innate immune response and mediates many cellular reactions to injury. However, little is known about TLR4 expression in the injured human neonatal lung. BPD caused by prolonged ventilatory stress offers a unique model to investigate TLR4 expression with respect to neonatal lung disease. We characterized TLR4 expression independently and in conjunction with other cell markers and proinflammatory proteins in human and baboon neonates with BPD. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, BPD lung sections showed strong TLR4 expression in pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages compared to control lungs. TLR4 was also shown to colocalize with MyD88, an intermediate in the signaling cascade for TLR4, and NF-κB, a transcription factor important in triggering an inflammatory response.
Keywords: lung, toll-like receptor, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, immunohistochemistry, MyD88, NF-κB
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 2-5
Location: VH 1432
Time: 9:15