Expression of toll-like receptor 2 and 4 in human gingival epithelial cells

Objective: To observe the expression changes of toll-like receptor 2 and 4(TLR2/4) in human gingival epithelial cells(HGECs) with and without lipopolysaccharides(LPS) treatment.Methods: TLR2/4 mRNA expressions were detected in HGECs by reverse transcription PCR.In addition,TLR2/4 mRNA and protein expressions were also determined in the cells stimulated with 1 μg/ml Porphyromonas gingivalis(P.gingivalis) LPS or 1 μg/ml Escherichia coli(E.coli) LPS by real-time PCR and FACS separately.Results: TLR2/4 mRNAs were expressed in HGECs from different individuals.Significant differences were found in TLR2 mRNA and protein expression in the cells with and without 1 μg/ml P.gingivalis LPS treatment(P 0.05).In addition,significant differences were also found in TLR4 mRNA and protein expression in the cells with and without 1 μg/ml E.coli LPS treatment(P 0.05).Conclusion: TLR2/4 were stably expressed in HGECs and their functions could be activated by LPS treatment,which may play a role in the development of periodontitis.