[Research progress on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection].

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a pattern recognition receptor expressed on the surface of leukocytes. Various ligands can activate or inhibit TLR2, therefore regulating the inflammation and apoptosis of immune cells. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) typically parasitizes macrophages. Further, after infecting the body, MTB can interact with TLR2 on the surface of various immune cells, including macrophages, leading to the release of cytokines that can affect the state and proliferation of MTB in the body. Additional research is needed to understand the polymorphism of TLR2 at the molecular level. Current studies indicate that the majority of TLR2 polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to MTB infection. This review provides an overview of the researches related to TLR2 and its ligands, the immune regulation activities of TLR2 following MTB infection, and the association of TLR2 polymorphism with susceptibility to MTB.

Orthotopic transplantation of decellularized liver scaffold in mice.

End-stage liver disease is a life threatening health problem to millions of people worldwide. Orthotopic liver transplantation is the only therapy for the definitive cure at the present time. However, persistent shortage in donor organs limits the opportunity for patients to receive this treatment. Liver tissue engineering aims to overcome this restriction by generating functional tissue constructs for treatment of individuals with the end-stage liver disease. Recently, a new strategy has emerged using the natural organ scaffold as a vehicle for liver tissue engineering. This involves preparation of decellularized scaffold containing the circulatory framework of the natural organ system. Currently, surgical performance of liver scaffold transplantation with end-to-side anastomosis of major vessels in small experimental animals, particularly in mice (mLBST), remains technically challenging. Here, we describe surgical techniques of mLBST that can be used for evaluation of engineered liver grafts in recipients.