Toll-Like Receptor (TLR2 and TLR4) Polymorphisms: Markers of Innate Immunity in Oral Infection in Children

Introduction: Innate immunity is activated with the participation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are signal molecules essential for the cellular response to bacterial cell wall components. Aim: The aim of the study was to use gene identification of Toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) to investigate this marker of innate immunity in children with chronic inflammation oral diseases. Methods: Three groups of 30 children, one with a history of ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections, one with clinically healthy gingival and no history of ENT infections, and one with gingivitis and no history of ENT infections, were recruited. DNA samples were taken from the children’s oral mucosa. The frequency of four different functional polymorphisms for the TLR 2 gene (Arg677Trp, Arg753Gln) and for the TLR 4 gene (Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile) was assessed using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Only one polymorphism was found (Arg753Gln) in TLR2 gene in a child suffering from recurrent tonsillitis. Conclusions: In the group of Bulgarian children studied, the polymorphism in TLR2 gene occurred in only 1.1% of the sample.