Human Oviductal Stromal Fibroblasts, But Not Oviductal Epithelial Cells, Express Toll‐Like Receptor 4: The Site‐Specific Mucosal Immunity of the Human Fallopian Tube against Bacterial Infection

Abstract

These results suggest that epithelial cells and fibroblasts in the human fallopian tube have evolved a unique, site-specific mechanism for recognizing Gram-negative pathogens. The lack of TLR4 in OEC may be important for avoiding a state of unnecessary inflammation that could disrupt the epithelial barrier and cause irreversible tubal scarring.