The role of toll-like receptors (TLR-2 and -4) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) in human term and preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE

To define the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR-2, TLR-4) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in pregnant human myometrium.

STUDY

DESIGN

Expression of TLR-2 and -4 mRNA and protein and TREM-1 mRNA was quantified in human myometrial samples. Subsequently, we investigated the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) as a functional inhibitor of the TLR agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

RESULTS

Messenger RNA expression of TLR-2 and -4 was significantly higher in myometrium at term compared with preterm (P = .009 and .016, respectively). Toll-like receptor-2 protein expression was significantly higher during labor (P = .002) compared with nonlaboring samples. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 mRNA expression was increased in both myometrium and cervix after labor at term (P < .05). Medroxyprogesterone acetate significantly suppressed LPS-induced production of interleukin 1b (IL-1b), IL-6, and IL-8 in vitro (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Toll-like receptors 2and 4 and TREM-1 are expressed in human myometrium and may play a role in the mechanism of labor at term, and their functional effects are inhibited by MPA.