Clonorchis sinensis excretory/secretory products promote the secretion of TNF-alpha in the mouse intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells via Toll-like receptor 4.

Background: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), as one of the most important pathogen pattern recognitions (PPRs) plays a central role in elicitation of innate immunity and mediation of adaptive responses against foreign antigens. However, little is known of the roles of TLR4 in the immune responses of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) induced by Clonorchis sinensis, a parasite of significance in human health.

Methods: In the present study, the primary mouse intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (MIBECs) were pre-treated with TLR4 inhibitor peptide or control peptide and then stimulated by excretory/secretory products (ESP) of C. sinensis, respectively. The expressions of TLR4 and relative cytokines were determined using western blot and a bead-based analytic detection system, respectively.

Results: The results showed that ESP of C. sinensis significantly increased the expression of TLR4 which promoted the expression of MyD88 and NF-κB in BECs; the levels of TNF-α but not IL-6 from MIBECs stimulated by ESP alone were also considerably increased, compared with the group of the medium stimulated. However, the concentration of TNF-α was significantly decreased when MIBECs were pre-treated with TLR4 inhibitor. In addition, ESP could depress the level of IL-6 in MIBECs which was elevated by LPS.

Conclusions: Our data for the first time demonstrate that ESP of C. sinensis can potently induce secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines via TLR4 in MIBECs, which suggests that TLR4 plays an important role in host defenses against C. sinensis and the pathogenesis of clonorchiasis.