ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of TLR7 on imiquimod induced apoptosis of THP-1 derived macrophages.Methods Three cell lines ( THP-1 derived macrophages, MDCK cell line and HUVEC cell line) with different capabilities of expressing TLR7 were selected.The survival rates of cells af-ter the treatment with different concentrations of imiquimod were detected by MTT assay.The levels of IL-6 in the supernatants of TLR7 inhibitor chloroquine or TLR7-siRNA treated cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The apoptosis of cells was detected by flow cytometry after inhibiting the ex-pression of TLR7.Results Imiquimod induced the apoptosis of THP-1 derived macrophages, MDCK cell lines and HUVEC cell lines.The levels of IL-6 were significantly decreased as the expression of TLR7 was inhibited by treating THP-1 derived macrophages with chloroquine or TLR7-siRNA.Treating THP-1 derived macrophages with chloroquine or TLR7-siRNA did not affect the cell apoptosis induced by imiquimod.Con-clusion Imiquimod could induce the apoptosis of THP-1 derived macrophages through TLR7 independent pathway.