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Changes in Toll‐Like Receptor‐5 Expression in the Small Intestine During Hibernation
Author(s) -
Kurtz Courtney
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.937.23
Subject(s) - tlr5 , biology , hibernation (computing) , immune system , small intestine , intestinal epithelium , ileum , toll like receptor , jejunum , receptor , flagellin , immunology , epithelium , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , innate immune system , endocrinology , biochemistry , state (computer science) , genetics , algorithm , computer science
Hibernation is associated with dramatic changes in intestinal physiology. Among these are a lack of enteral nutrition, mucosal atrophy and significant increases in the number of immune cells. One possible reason for the increase in intestinal immune cells is changes in microbial sensing and composition of the gut microbiota. In this study, we used immunoblotting to examine the expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐5, a receptor for bacterial flagellin that is normally expressed in mammalian small intestine. TLR5 expression increased in the jejunum of torpid hibernators compared to summer but decreased during arousal. In the ileum, TLR5 levels were slightly higher in torpid squirrels compared to summer but significantly decreased upon arousal. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the subcellular location of TLR5 and revealed expression primarily on the basolateral side of the epithelium in all activity states. In summary, these results suggest a specific upregulation of TLR5 in the small intestinal epithelium as the animal enters into torpor potentially leading to increased bacterial sensing and promotion of immune tolerance. Supported by UW‐Oshkosh Faculty Development Program.