The potential use of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists and antagonists as prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents.
Toll-like receptors (TLR) and their ligands are one of the main players in the initiation of innate immunity which precedes, and is required, for the establishment of adaptive immunity. Manipulating the immune response by using TLR agonists or antagonists might be of therapeutic and/or prophylactic value. This review covers; 1-TLR. their natural ligands and ligand - TLR signaling events, 2-TLR against and their use in clinical trials as vaccine adjuvants, and to treat allergy, cancer and infectious diseases, 3-TLR antagonists and their use in clinical trials to treat septic shock and autoimmune diseases. Potential drawbacks related to their potential use as prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents are discussed.
Makkouk
Amani
A
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut Lebanon.
Abdelnoor
Alexander M
AM
D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003141:Communicable Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology
D051193:Toll-Like Receptors