The role and difference of TLR2 and TLR4 in rhabdomyolysis induced acute kidney injury in mice.

: To investigate the role of toll like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 in rhabdomyolysis (RM)-related acute kidney injury (AKI). Wild-type (WT) mice and TLR2 knockout (TLR2-/-) or TLR4 knockout (TLR4-/-) mice were injected with either saline (sham) or glycerin (to induce RM-related AKI). Samples were collected for detection of 0 h 24 h (Cr) creatinine, urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), and PAS staining of renal tissues. Serum Cr and BUN level was significantly increased in TLR2-/- and TLR4-/-AKI groups more than those in the control group and the WT mice in AKI group. TLR4-/-AKI group Cr, BUN level, and the pathological damage was lightest. The expression levels of signal transduction proteins in TLR2-/- and TLR4-/-AKI group were higher than in the control group, but was lower than that in the wild AKI group, with the TLR4-/-AKI group having the lowest levels. The expression level of inflammatory factor mRNA in TLR2-/- and TLR4-/-AKI groups was higher than that in control group, but was lower than that in wild AKI group, with TLR4-/-AKI group displaying lowest levels. Knockout of TLRs 2 and 4 decreased kidney inflammation and improved RM-related AKI.