Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: April 21, 2015
PPAR-γ and tollip are associated with toll-like receptors in colitis rats
Ning Xu1, Zhen-hai Yu, Qing-shou Yao
1Department of Gastroenterology , Affiliated Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital of Qingdao University Medical School, Yantai, PR China.
Abstract:
To elucidate the significance of Toll-like receptors and their negative regulating factors PPAR-γ and Tollip on the pathogenesis of colitis. Colitis model was induced by TNBS in rat. The expression of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κBp65, PPAR-γ and Tollip was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR revealed a significant increased expression of TLR2, TLR4, and NF-κBp65 in the colitis group compared with the normal group (TLR2: 1.057 ± 0.092, 0.463 ± 0.101, t = 4.125, P = 0.001; TLR4: 0.376 ± 0.029, 0.215 ± 0.049, t = 2.731, P = 0.013; NF-κBp65: 0.746 ± 0.049, 0.206 ± 0.063, t = 6.055, P = 0.000). The expression was positively correlated with the generally damage score and the histological injury score correspondingly (TLR2: r = 0.573, r = 0.559; TLR4: r = 0.754, r = 0.866; NF-κBp65: r = 0.548, r = 0.919). The Tollip mRNA wasn't obviously diversity between the normal and colitis groups by RT-PCR (Tollip: 0.288 ± 0.050, 0.140 ± 0.046, t = 1.993, P = 0.061). While the Tollip protein was mainly assembled in the lamina propriaand higher in the colitis group compared with the normal group by IHC. The expression of PPAR-γ in the colitis group was obviously lower than that in the normal group (PPAR-γ: 0.255 ± 0.065, 0.568 ± 0.072, t = 2.882, P = 0.010). The expression of Tollip and PPAR-γ was negative correlated with the generally damage score and histological injury score correspondingly (Tollip: r = -0.497, r = -0.551; PPAR-γ: r = -0.683, r = -0.853). The disbalance between TLRs and their negative regulating factors PPAR-γ and Tollip was closely associated with the course of colitis.
Insights
This study reveals that an imbalance between Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their negative regulators, PPAR-γ and Tollip, is linked to colitis pathogenesis. Increased TLRs and decreased PPAR-γ/Tollip expression correlate with disease severity in a rat model.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Colitis pathogenesis involves complex inflammatory pathways.
- Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a crucial role in innate immunity and inflammation.
- PPAR-γ and Tollip are known negative regulators of inflammatory responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TLRs (TLR2, TLR4) and their negative regulators (PPAR-γ, Tollip) in the pathogenesis of colitis.
- To determine the correlation between the expression of these molecules and the severity of colitis.
Main Methods:
- A TNBS-induced colitis model in rats was utilized.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were employed to assess gene and protein expression.
- Expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κBp65, PPAR-γ, and Tollip were quantified.
Main Results:
- RT-PCR showed significantly increased expression of TLR2, TLR4, and NF-κBp65 in colitis rats compared to controls.
- PPAR-γ expression was significantly lower in colitis rats, while Tollip mRNA showed no significant difference, though protein levels were higher.
- Increased TLRs and NF-κBp65, and decreased PPAR-γ and Tollip, were positively correlated with colitis damage and histological scores.
Conclusions:
- An imbalance between TLRs and their negative regulators, PPAR-γ and Tollip, is closely associated with the development and progression of colitis.
- These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for managing colitis.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...

