Type of Inflammation Differentially Affects Expression of Interleukin 1β and 6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Toll-Like Receptors in Subclinical Endometritis in Mares.
Abstract: Mares that fail to conceive or lose their embryos, without showing typical signs of clinical endometritis, should be suspected of subclinical endometritis (SE). In this study, the question was addressed: does SE fully activate selected mechanisms of innate immunity in mares? For this aim, expression of mRNAs for Toll-like Receptor 2 and 4 (TLR 2/4), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) was examined in control mares versus either mares suffering from chronic endometritis (ChE) or subacute suppurative endometritis (SSE). The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in supernatants from endometrial tissue cultures after 4 h incubation were measured using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. Eighty-two warmblood mares, of known breeding history, were enrolled in this study. Based on histopathological assessment, mares were classified as suffering from ChE, SSE or as being healthy. In addition, immuno-localization of both TLR2 and TLR4 as well as TNF-α was investigated in the equine endometria. The mRNA expression of TLR2 (P < 0.01), IL-1β (P < 0.0001), IL-6 (P < 0.0001) and TLR4 and TNF (P < 0.05) was up-regulated in endometria of mares suffering from SSE compared with unaffected mares. Concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased only in mares exhibiting SSE, compared with unaffected (P < 0.01 for both) and ChE mares (P < 0.05 for both). Immuno-localization of TNF-α and TLRs was confirmed, both in unaffected and SE-affected endometria, and was present in the luminal and glandular epithelia and stromal cells. The severity of inflammation impacts the immune response and fosters activation of innate immunity mechanisms, as observed in the endometria of mares. The intracellular localization of TLRs and TNF-α in the endometria indicates a key role of endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in the immune response and inflammation.
Publication Date: 2016-05-06 PubMed ID: 27152525PubMed Central: PMC4859529DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154934Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research study examined how different types of inflammation can impact the expression of certain immune response markers in horses showing signs of undetectable uterus inflammation. The study revealed that the severity of inflammation can affect these immune responses and that inflammation across different parts of the uterus can indicate key roles in immune response and inflammation.
Exploration of Inflammation and Immune Response in Horses
- The researchers explored the situation of horses (mares) that fail to conceive or lose their embryos without showing clear signs of clinical endometritis, a condition that may point to subclinical endometritis (SE). SE, in this context, refers to a type of inflammation that doesn’t present obvious symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose.
- The primary investigation centered on whether SE fully activates selected mechanisms of the horse’s innate immunity system, namely the mRNA expressions for Toll-like Receptor 2 and 4 (TLR 2/4), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF).
- The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured in supernatants from equine endometrial tissue cultures post 4-hour incubation. The sampling involved eighty-two warmblood mares.
Findings on Inflammation Types and Immune Response
- Based on histopathological assessment, horses were grouped as those with chronic endometritis (ChE), subacute suppurative endometritis (SSE), or healthy ones. The mRNA expressions of TLR2, IL-1β, IL-6, TLR4, and TNF were found to be up-regulated in horses suffering from SSE compared with unaffected ones.
- The concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased in horses showing signs of SSE in comparison to unaffected or those suffering from ChE.
- The research also confirmed that TNF-α and TLRs had a presence in both affected and unaffected equine endometria, specifically in the luminal and glandular epithelia and stromal cells, signifying their vital role in the immune response and inflammation.
Implications for Equine Health
- The key finding from this research is the indication that the severity of inflammation can have a significant impact on the immune response, stimulating the activation of mechanisms of innate immunity in equine endometria.
- Another critical observation reveals that the innate localization of TLRs and TNF-α in the endometria points to the vital role played by the endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in initiating the immune response and fostering inflammation.
- This study enhances the understanding of the relationship between subclinical endometritis, inflammation, and immune responses, which can contribute to developing effective strategies for managing mares’ reproductive and overall health.
Cite This Article
APA
Siemieniuch MJ, Szóstek AZ, Gajos K, Kozdrowski R, Nowak M, Okuda K.
(2016).
Type of Inflammation Differentially Affects Expression of Interleukin 1β and 6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Toll-Like Receptors in Subclinical Endometritis in Mares.
PLoS One, 11(5), e0154934.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154934 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dep. of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Graduate School of Environment and Life Science Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
- Dep. of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Graduate School of Environment and Life Science Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
- EQUI-MEDICA Equine Practice, Chojnice, Poland.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Wrocław, Poland.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Wrocław, Poland.
- Graduate School of Environment and Life Science Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endometritis / metabolism
- Endometritis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Inflammation / classification
- Inflammation / metabolism
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Interleukin-1beta / genetics
- Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
- Progesterone / blood
- Toll-Like Receptors / genetics
- Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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