Background: Recently, reports have indicated a role for the membrane form of Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) in asthma pathogenesis. In this study we examined soluble TLR2 levels in serum and sputum of asthmatic and healthy subjects. Methods: Serum and sputum samples were obtained from 33 asthmatic and 19 healthy subjects. The asthmatics were classified into four groups according to the Global Initiative for Asthma. A sandwich ELISA was developed to measure soluble TLR2 (sTLR2) in serum and sputum. TLR2 mRNA expression was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR of all sputum samples. Results: The mean sTLR2 levels from serum and sputum of asthmatics were significantly lower than those from healthy subjects. Moreover, sTLR2 concentration decreased concomitantly with asthma severity. The differences observed, however, were not statistically significant. TLR2/GAPDH mRNA of sputum leukocytes was also significantly lower in asthmatics than in healthy subjects.Conclusion: This study demonstrated for the first time thatsTLR2 levels are lower in serum and sputum samples from asthmatic than from healthy subjects, and this could be an indicator of TLR2 expression. We also found that sTLR2 concentration in serum decreased concomitantly with an increase of asthma severity clinical score.

Background: Substance abuse leads to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and activation of neuro-inflammatory pathways. However, the contribution of serum levels of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) to neuropsychological outcomes has not been clearly established. This study aims to explore the relationship between TLR-2 and S100B serum concentrations in individuals with substance abuse and their potential influence on neuropsychological results, specifically regarding the functioning of the frontal lobe. Methods: This study involved 28 individuals who were diagnosed with substance abuse at Loghman Hakim Hospital’s Toxicology Unit in 2022. Serum TLR-2 concentration and S100B levels, as neuroinflammatory markers, and the frontal assessment battery (FAB), as executive function markers, were measured. Results: Substance abuse patients exhibited elevated levels of both TLR-2 and S100B. In drug addicts, a strong positive relationship was detected between serum levels of TLR-2 and S100B (r=0.742, P=0.0021) levels. Nevertheless, no significant relationship was found between FAB scores and serum concentrations of S100B and TLR-2. Conclusion: This study reveals increased serum TLR-2 and S100B levels in individuals with substance abuse. However, these elevated levels did not appear to be associated with risk factors related to substance abuse or frontal lobe function.

Objective: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on Sertoli cells are thought to have essential roles in sperm protection. This study was conducted to investigate the expression of TLR2 and TLR3 in Sertoli cells of men with azoospermia.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, testicular biopsies were taken from ten azoospermic men. Following enzymatic dissociation, the samples were moved to lectin coated petri dishes. After a few passages, all cells were cultivated and Seroli cells were sorted by flow cytometry. To confirm Sertoli cell purification, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and immunohistochemistry assays were employed.The expression of TLR2 and TLR3 at the transcript and protein levels was examined with real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) and western blot, respectively.Results: Isolation, purification and cultivation of human Sertoli cells were performed successfully. Efficacy of purification of Sertoli cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) sorter was ~97%. The type of cultured cells was confirmed by vimentin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor markers. Furthermore, the existence of anti-Müllerian hormone in culture was confirmed. RT-PCR showed that both genes were expressed in Sertoli cells. Consistently, proteins of both were also expressed in Sertoli cells.Moreover, QPCR showed that the relative expression of TLR3 transcripts was significantly higher than TLR2 in Sertoli cells. Although both genes are expressed in fibroblast cells, their level of expression was significantly lower than in Sertoli cells.Conclusion: This study confirmed expression of TLR2 and TLR3 in human Sertoli cells. This may be an indicator of their roles in developing immunity against pathogens as well as allo- and auto-antigens or viral antigens in seminiferous tubules.

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most important causes of mortality in women. Various factors are involved in the development of cancer, including viruses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have an essential role in the innate immune system. The present study investigated the relationship between TLR2 rs5743708 polymorphisms and Torque teno virus (TTV) infection with breast cancer. Methods: Blood samples from 80 women with breast cancer and 80 healthy women were collected, and after DNA extraction, the presence of TTV was investigated by a PCR assay and polymorphism in the TLR2 gene (rs5743708) was explored using the PCR-RFLP method. Also, the physical and chemical properties of TLR2 protein in the two wild and mutant forms were analyzed using the ExPASy database. Results: Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between the age and TTV infection; TTV infection and breast cancer; the grade of cancer, and TTV infection; while there were significant relationships between rs5743708 polymorphisms and breast cancer; GG genotype and increased incidence of cancer; TTV infection and rs5743708 polymorphisms. Also, instability index, aliphatic index, grand average of hydropathicity, and molecular weight of TLR2 protein varied in wild and mutant states. Conclusions: Although there was no significant relationship between TTV infection and breast cancer, the rs5743708 polymorphisms might be involved in TTV infection and breast cancer.