Toll receptors modulate allergic responses: interaction with dendritic cells, T cells and mast cells.
OBJECTIVE
The discovery of Toll-like receptors has generated much interest in understanding the impact of innate immunity on adaptive immune responses, including allergic diseases.


RESULTS
Recent studies suggest that Toll-like receptor pathways may mediate interactions between dendritic cells, T lymphocytes and mast cells, thus modulating allergic immune responses. Toll-like receptor signaling triggers dendritic cell maturation, which primes naive T lymphocytes towards specific T helper cell types 1 and 2 immune responses. Although a T helper cell type 1/2 balance may be important in modulating allergic responses, T regulatory cells that suppress certain immune responses may be critical in immune regulation.


CONCLUSIONS
With the identification of different subsets of dendritic cells and the discovery of Toll-like receptors on T regulatory cells and mast cells, the manipulation of Toll-like receptor signaling may lead to novel therapeutic options in allergic diseases.
Bellou
Abdelouahab
A
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Schaub
Bianca
B
Ting
Leon
L
Finn
Patricia W
PW
D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors