Toll-like receptor 4 signaling promotes the immunosuppressive cytokine production of human cervical cancer

Objectives: To investigate the expression of TLR-4 (toll-like receptor) on human cervical cancer and find the biological function of the TLR-4 signal system. Methods: The immunohistochemistry method was performed to study the protein expression and distribution of TLR-4. The viability of HeLa cells was determined by cell viability assay. Cell proliferation was detected by FCM, ELISA and Western blot were used to observe the gene and protein expression of IL-6 and TGF-beta 1 in Hela cell lines. Results: TLR-4 was over-expressed in cervix cancer, and its activation by LPS promotes proliferation and anti-apoptosis in Hela cells in vitro. Moreover the cell line proliferation increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The production of IL-6 and TGF-beta 1 were promoted through the activation of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.