An expression survey of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nod-like receptors (NLRs) in allergic asthma

Allergic disorders, such as asthma, are symptomatic reactions of the immune system to common and innocuous environmental antigens. These inflammatory disorders are caused by aberrant immune regulation in which various signalling receptors are involved. Pathogen recognition receptors like the TLRs and NLRs families of receptors are one of the key components of the innate immune system. The function of these receptors has been linked with susceptibility towards the development of allergic diseases, including asthma, making the TLRs and NLRs good targets for novel effective therapies of allergic diseases. In this study the mRNA expression levels of different TLRs and NLRs in the lung tissue in mild and severe mouse models of allergic asthma were measured by q-PCR. In addition, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and cell numbers analysed. In the mild and severe asthma models different TLR and NLR mRNA expression profiles are observed. In the severe asthma model, a higher cell influx in BALF is seen. Moreover, a significant correlation is found between the mRNA expression of TLR3, TLR6 and TLR9 and the total cell number in the BALF.