Toll-Like Receptor Dysregulation in The Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Background: A severe pro-inflammatory feedback is the main reason for novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-related complications. Here we intended to investigate the potential involvement of toll-like receptors (TLRs)3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 in the etiopathogenesis of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: mRNA expression of TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 were evaluated in blood samples from 30 COVID-19-infected patients and 30 healthy controls by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. Results: The mRNA expressions of TLR3 ( P = 0.038) and TLR9 ( P = 0.009) significantly increased in patients with COVID-19 compared with healthy controls. Additionally, the mRNA expression of TLR3 was significantly higher in the male than in female COVID-19 patients ( P = 0.020). Experiments indicated that the mRNA expression of TLRs was not significantly different between symptomatic and non-symptomatic COVID-19 subjects. Furthermore, no correlation was detected between mRNA expression of TLRs and patient’s clinicopathological data. Conclusion: It seems that TLR3 and TLR9 are involved during COVID-19 infection and might take part in the inflammatory outcome of the patients.