OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Toll-like receptor blockers TLR2-Ab and TLR4-Ab on the tight junction protein ZO-1 in intestinal epithelial cells in mice, as well as their effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

METHODSA total of 32 BALB/C mice were divided into control group, model group, TLR4 treatment group, and TLR2 treatment group, with 8 mice in each group. A mouse model of endotoxemia was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide. The mice in the TLR4 treatment group and the TLR2 treatment group were given intraperitoneal injection of TLR4 antibody and TLR2 antibody (10 μg each mouse), respectively, and those in the control group were given normal saline. The distal small intestinal tissue was collected, and RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1, NF-κBp65, and TNF-α.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the model group had significantly lower mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1 and significantly higher mRNA expression of NF-κBp65 and TNF-α (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the TLR4 treatment group and the TLR2 treatment group had significantly higher mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1 and significantly lower mRNA and protein expression of NF-κBp65 and TNF-α (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1, NF-κBp65, and TNF-α between the TLR4 treatment group and the TLR2 treatment group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAnti-TLR2 and anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibodies can reduce the activation of nuclear transcription factors, inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors, and protect tight junction protein, which is expected to provide new ideas for the treatment of enterogenous infectious diseases.