The Effect of Cyclophosphamide on TLR2 Gene Expression in Balb/c Mice with Systemic Candidiasis

Toll like receptor-2 (TLR2) plays an important role in the process of detection and launching the immune response against Candida albicans. Cyclophosphamide is one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs, which causes severe neutropenia and suppression of the immune system. In this study Balb/c mice were infected to disseminated candidiasis and neutropenia and expression of TLR2 gene was measured in whole blood samples of each mice.
Twenty-eight mice were divided into 4 groups and injected with Cyclophosphamide and C. albicans. Blood samples were used for RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, and expression of TLR2 gene was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and 2-∆∆CT method.
Findings: Gene expression was increased in the group receiving Candida albicans and also in group receiving both Cyclophosphamide and Candida albicans but decreased in the group just receiving Cyclophosphamide.
There was no significant difference between the control group and experimental groups for TLR2 gene expression (P = 0.478). However, the results of this study can be regarding in selecting TLR2 or its receptor as a therapeutic target with monoclonal antibodies or gene therapy techniques.