Influence of Candida albicans on the expression of Toll - like receptor 2 in cultured human keratinocytes

Objective: To investigate the influence of Candida albicans and mannan on the expression of Tolllike receptor 2 (TLR2) in cultured human keratinocytes. Methods: The keratinocytes were stimulated with Candida albicans and mannan for 24 hs and the expression of TLR2 mRNA was measured by RT- PCR. TLR2 protein was stained by immunohistoohemistry technique. Semi - quantitative analysis was made for the expression of TLR2 mRNA and TLR2 protein. Results: TLR2 mRNA and TLR2 protein were detectable in keratinocytes. There was no statistically significant difference between keratinocytes stimulated with Candida albicans and mannan and those not stimulated cells for TLR2 mRNA and TLR2 protein ( P 0.05). Conclusion: Keratinocytes can constituently express TLR2 mRNA and TLR2 protein. Neither Candida albicans nor mannan may regulate the expression of TLR2 in cultured keratinocytes. Our findings suggest that there are several receptors recognizing Candida albicans and mannan on the surface of keratinocytes and TLR2 may be one of them.