Expression Patterns of TLR1 during T. congolense Infection in Mice

Abstract

After QTL mapping and physical representation of the particular chromosomal fragment spanning trypanosomosis resistance loci Tir2 and 3 in mice, possible candidate genes were selected. These appeared to be linked to the innate immune response. Plausible trypanotolerance candidate genes within the loci include TLR1 which is critical in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions. In an effort to find an association between Tircandidate genes and the disease, expression patterns of TLR 1 gene mapping to trypanotolerance QTL Tir1 was investigated using quantitative real time PCR.Susceptible and resistant mice infected with T. congolense portrayed diverse TLR expression patterns. Up regulation of TLR1 seemed to coincide with up regulation of IL-10 and TNF in susceptible and resistant strains respectively. T. congolense infection therefore induces a response characterized by changes in TLR 1 expression in liver and spleen tissues which appear to regulate cytokine profiles in mice. These phenomena may be responsible for the diverse disease pathology evident in different mouse strains and may account similar trends observed in livestock breeds.