All is not Toll: new pathways in DNA recognition.
Immunological defense depends on the ability of the innate immune system to recognize invading microbes as foreign and thus eliminate them. The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) help detect foreign invaders by sensing various pathogen-associated molecules, including microbial RNA and DNA. At present, it is unclear whether and how the immune system distinguishes between microbial and self nucleic acids, as host-derived RNA and DNA also stimulate TLRs. In addition, recent studies have revealed the existence of TLR-independent pathways that are activated in response to microbial and host nucleic acids.
Wagner
Hermann
H
Institute of Medical Microbiology, München, Germany. h.wagner@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Bauer
Stefan
S
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004279:DNA, Viral; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D004247:DNA