Expression of Toll-Like Receptors in theFusarium solaniInfected Cornea

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the human cornea with Fusarium solani (F. solani) keratitis. METHODS: Five human corneas with F. solani keratitis and 5 healthy human corneas were evaluated for TLR1-10 mRNA by reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and relative real-time PCR. The proteins of TLR2, 4, and 9 were also compared by Western blot. The mean times between these corneas were collected, and the onset of treatment to surgery was 34.4 +/- 12.4 days, ranging from 15 to 47 days. The data were analyzed with SPSS15.0. RESULTS: TLR1-10 mRNA was expressed in both healthy and F. solani infected human corneas. The expression of TLR2, 4, 6, and 9 mRNA in the F. solani infected human corneas were upregulated. The Western blot showed the protein expression of TLR2, 4, and 9 was also upregulated in the corneas with F. solani keratitis than that of the healthy corneas. CONCLUSIONS: TLRs are expressed diversely in the F. solani infected human cornea, and TLR2, 4, and 9 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of F. solani infection in the cornea.