Different effects of cortisol on pro-inflammatory gene expressions in LPS-, heat-killed E.coli-, or live E.coli-stimulated bovine endometrial epithelial cells

Background Bacterial infections are common in postpartum dairy cows. Cortisol level has been observed to increase in dairy cows during peripartum period, and is associated with the endometrial innate immunity against pathogens like E.coli. However, the mechanism underlying how cortisol regulates E.coli-induced inflammatory response in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEEC) remains elusive.