The Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the Kidneys and Heart of Mice Infected with Acanthamoeba Spp.

Background: Acanthamoeba spp. are cosmopolitan protozoa that cause infections in the brain, as well as extracerebral infections in the cornea, lungs and skin. Little is known about the mechanisms of the immunological response to these parasites in organs which are not their main biotope. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the kidneys and heart of Acanthamoeba spp. infected mice, with respect to the host’s immunological status. Results: : In the kidneys, we observed a higher expression of TLR2 in immunosuppressed mice at 24 days post Acanthamoeba spp. infection (dpi) compared to the uninfected mice. There were no statistically significant differences in TLR4 expression in the kidneys between the immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice, both of infected and uninfected mice. In the heart, we observed a difference in TLR2 expression in immunocompetent mice at 24 dpi compared to immunocompetent mice at 8 dpi. The immunocompetent Acanthamoeba spp. infected mice had higher TLR4 expression at 8 dpi compared to the immunocompetent uninfected mice. Conclusions: : Our results indicate that TLR2 is involved in response to Acanthamoeba spp. infection in the kidneys, whereas in the heart, both studied TLRs are involved.