Abstract
Objectives
1) To understand pathophysiology of sialoadenitis. 2) To examine the expression of Toll-like receptor 1–10 in human salivary glands, focusing on changes induced by sialoadenitis since recent research has given them a key role in the induction of various inflammatory disorders.
Methods
Biopsies from parotid and submandibular glands were obtained from patients undergoing surgery due to benign neoplastic tumours or chronic/recurrent inflammation caused by sialolithiasis. In the former, a normal part of the gland was excised as far away from the tumour as possible and was used as control. In the latter, a biopsy was taken close to the centre of the inflammation. The mRNA expression of TLR 1 to 10 was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction and the corresponding proteins were assessed using immunohistochemistry.
Results
A constant expression of TLR 1, 2, 3, and 5 were found in all specimens and an up-regulation of TLR2 was seen in biopsies from patients with chronic sialoadenitis. The immunohistochemistry revealed moderate expression of TLR 3, 5, and 6 in serous glands and an intense TLR 2 expression in mucous acini.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that a TLR-mediated inflammatory component might be involved in the development of sialoadenitis, perpetuating lymphocytic infiltration and cytokine production.
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