Toll-like receptor-4 genotype influences the survival of cystic fibrosis mice

Abstract

Toll-like receptor (Tlr) 4 is a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor that contributes to the regulation of intestinal cell homeostasis, a condition that is altered in the intestines of cystic fibrosis mice. Herein, we assessed whether Tlr4 genotype influences cystic fibrosis intestinal disease by producing and phenotyping 12-wk (adult)- and 4-day (neonate)-old mice derived from BALB cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, Cftr+/tm1Uncand C.C3- Tlr4Lps-d/J ( Tlr4−/−), progenitors. Intestinal disease was assayed through mouse survival, crypt-villus axis (CVA) length, cell proliferation, bacterial load, bacterial classification, inflammatory cell infiltrate, and mucus content measures. Of the 77 Cftr−/−(CF) mice produced, only one Cftr/ Tlr4 double-mutant mouse lived to the age of 12 wk while the majority of the remainder succumbed at ∼4 days of age. The survival of CF Tlr4+/−mice exceeded that of both CF Tlr4+/+and Cftr/ Tlr4 double-mutant mice. Adult CF mice presented increased Tlr4 expression, CVA length, crypt cell proliferation, and bacterial load relative to non-CF mice, but no differences were detected in Tlr4+/−compared with Tlr4+/+CF mice. The double-mutant neonates did not differ from Tlr4+/+or Tlr4+/−CF mice by intestinal CVA length or bacterial load, but fewer Tlr4+/−CF neonates presented with luminal mucus obstruction in the distal ileum, and the intestinal mast cell increase of CF mice was not evident in double-mutant neonates. We conclude that Tlr4 deficiency reduces the survival, but does not alter the intestinal phenotypes, of extended CVA or increased bacterial load in BALB CF mice.