Bactofection with toll-like receptor 4 in a murine model of urinary tract infection

The role of innate immunity in the prevention of urinary tract infection is well-documented. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a major determinant of innate immune response. In an animal model of urinary tract infection, bactofection-mediated gene transfer of TLR4 was tested in a preventive approach. Bactofection with TLR4 reduced the colonization with uropathogenic Escherichia coli by 91% in the kidney and by 41% in the bladder. Reduced colonization was associated with lower oxidative stress and expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and myeloperoxidase in the kidney. Bactofection with TLR4 was successful in the prevention of ascending pyelonephritis. Further studies should focus on long-term effects, the dose response and the potential therapeutic use in models of chronic urinary tract infection.