Trichinella Spiralis: Impact on the Expression of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Gene During the Intestinal Phase of Experimental Trichinellosis

INTRODUCTION: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in the rapid activation of the innate immune response to a variety of pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Trichinella spiralis infection on the level of expression of the tlr4 gene in mouse intestines during the intestinal phase of experimental trichinellosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experimental material consisted of the small and large intestines of BALB/c mice infected with Trichinella spiralis sampled at 4, 8, and 16 days post infection (dpi). RESULTS: A statistically significant increase was demonstrated in the tlr4 mRNA level isolated from the infected mice jejunum at 4, 8, and 16 dpi over the uninfected control. Moreover, at 4, 8, and 16 dpi in the jejunum of infected mice, a strong positive reaction for the presence of TLR4 protein compared with that of uninfected mice was observed. CONCLUSION: Infection with T. spiralis changes the expression of the tlr4 gene in the small intestine of the mouse host.