The contribution of Toll-like receptors to placental inflammation in diet-induced maternal obesity.

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-regulated protein kinases and inflammatory cytokines were activated in fetal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) treated with palmitate. Tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL6) were increased and correlated with expression of TLRs in the labyrinth placentae of high fat (HF)-fed rats with increased plasma lipids and visceral adiposity. Thus, local induction of TLR signaling via saturated fatty acids (SFA) may in part contribute to placental inflammation in diet-induced maternal obesity.