title: [Polymorphisms of the Toll-like receptor 4 gene and their potential role in infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory disorders].
abstract: The Toll-like receptor 4 is a key mediator of the innate immune response. Besides its main ligand, the Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides, other molecules such as heat-shock protein 60, oxidized low density lipoprotein and fibronectin can also bind to the receptor. Activation of the Toll-like receptor induces the production of proinflammatory cytokines. There is increasing evidence showing that the Toll-like receptor 4 plays a role not only in the immune reaction against infectious agents but also in chronic non-infectious inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease. This review briefly summarizes recent knowledge on the Toll-like receptor 4, its common co-segregation polymorphisms and the impact of these polymorphisms on various human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar II. Belgyógyászati Klinika Budapest Szentkirályi u. 46. 1088. reismann@freestart.hu
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reismann
authors.forename: Károly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rácz
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tulassay
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D008024:Ligands; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008024:Ligands; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4