The role of Toll-like receptors in host defense against microbial infection.
The Toll family of proteins is central to Drosophila host defense against microbial infection. Maintained throughout evolution, mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are proteins that participate in innate immunity to bacteria in at least four ways. First, TLRs participate in the recognition of molecular patterns present on microorganisms. Second, TLRs are expressed at the interface with the environment, the site of microbial invasion. Third, activation of TLRs induces expression of co-stimulatory molecules and the release of cytokines that instruct the adaptive immune response. Fourth, activation of TLRs leads to direct antimicrobial effector pathways that can result in elimination of the foreign invader. The recent investigation of TLRs in these areas has provided new insights into mechanisms of innate immunity.
Krutzik
S R
SR
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of California (Los Angeles) School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Sieling
P A
PA
Modlin
R L
RL
D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors