Abstract
Objective: The relationship between a single nucleotide polymorphism (TLR4 896 A>G) in the toll-like
receptor-4 (TLR4) gene, qualitative and quantitative changes in vaginal micro-flora
and vaginal interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) concentrations
in pregnant women were evaluated. Study design: Qualitative and quantitative microbial methods were used to characterize vaginal
micro-flora of 238 women at 18–22 weeks gestation. Polymerase chain reaction was used
to determine TLR4 genotype. IL-1β and IL-1ra concentrations in vaginal lavage samples
were measured by ELISA. Results: The TLR4 variant was identified in 10.3% of women. Carriage of this variant was associated
with a median increase in vaginal pH (P=0.05), a greater than 10-fold increase in vaginal Gardnerella vaginalis levels (P<0.0001) and a 10-fold increase in the vaginal concentration of three species of anaerobic
Gram-negative rods, Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Porphyromonas (P=0.08). Colonization with G. vaginalis and/or the anaerobic Gram-negative rods resulted in elevated vaginal IL-1 (P=0.01) and IL-1ra (P<0.0002) concentrations in women who were TLR4 896A homozygotes, but not in TLR4 896G
carriers. Conclusion: The TLR4 896 A>G polymorphism contributes to inter-individual differences in the
vaginal immune defense against G. vaginalis and anaerobic Gram-negative rods.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 4,
2004
Received in revised form:
December 19,
2003
Received:
October 10,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
