Inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway: molecular treatment strategy of periodontitis-associated atherosclerosis.
The accumulation of epidemiologic, pathologic, and animal model studies suggests that periodontal infection may be a contributing risk factor for atherosclerosis. The Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) signaling pathway plays an important role in the initiation and progression of periodontitis-associated atherosclerotic disease. We postulate that suppression of TLR4 signaling pathway can be an effective treatment for atherosclerosis. These strategies include prevention of ligand binding to TLR4, blocking the interactions of TLR4s and adaptors in signaling pathways, blocking the enzymes in signaling pathways, and immunostimulation with vaccine adjuvants. However, we should be aware that there may be unknown risks about the new technologies and these drugs, which may cause some unknown side effects in long-term administration.
Department of Stomatology, Xianning College, Xianning 437100, PR China. huangbin914@163.com
Bin
B
Huang
Huangqin
H
Chen
Mingwen
M
Fan
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology*
C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4