Expression of Toll-like receptor 4 in alveolar macrophages of diabetic rats and response to LPS

Objective To investigate the altered expression of TLR4 in alveolar macrophages of diabetic rats after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and the effect of these changes on defending the infection. Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, group A: the control group; group B: the diabetic group; group C: the LPS stimulated group; and group D: the diabetic group with LPS stimulation. TLR4 in alveolar macrophages were measured by immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Results The expressions of TLR4 in group B and group C were higher than that in group A (P < 0. 001). The expression of TLR4 in group D was obviously higher than that of group B and group C (P < 0.001). Conclusion The expression of TLR4 of diabetic rats was higher than that of normal rats and became more higher after LPS stimulation, which is indicated that diabetic bodies were in the proinflammatory state, the mechanism remains to be explored in detail. Key words: Toll-like receptor 4;  Diabetes;  Lipopolysaccharide