HORMONE MODULATION OF TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR 5 IN CULTURED HUMAN BLADDER EPITHELIAL CELLS

Aim:The effect of hormone levels on the stimulation of Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) in the bladder is unknown. We aimed to study the effect of estradiol and progesterone on TLR5 expression and function in human bladder epithelial cells.Methods:After growing to near confluence, T24 human urinary bladder (HUB) cells were incubated in hormone-free (HF) media for 72 hours. Human urinary bladder cells were then incubated in (1) HF media, (2) estradiol media, (3) progesterone media, or (4) media containing estradiol and progesterone at physiologic concentrations. Following flagellin exposure, cells and media were collected. Toll-like receptor 5 expression and stimulated cytokine release were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results were normalized with cellular protein assays. A TLR5 antagonist was used to confirm that stimulation from flagellin was mediated by TLR5 signaling.Results:Cultured HUB cells express TLR5 protein. Estradiol and progesterone environments suppress TLR5 expression compar...