title: Effects of Toll-like receptor signals in T-cell neoplasms.
abstract: T-cell neoplasms have poor prognosis and few effective therapeutic options. Therefore, identification of factors in T-cell leukemia/lymphoma that are associated with cancer progression may represent novel therapeutic targets. Recent studies have highlighted a previously unappreciated role for the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on T cells and their effects on cell survival and proliferation. TLRs can bind exogenous molecules derived from pathogens as well as endogenous self-ligands released from damaged cells. Recent reports demonstrate that TLR engagement on primary mouse or human T cells enhances proliferation and/or cell survival. The mechanisms by which TLR stimulation on T cells influences these parameters and the different T-cell subsets that are affected by TLR stimulation are currently under investigation. Furthermore, neither the biological importance of stimulating TLRs on neoplastic T cells nor the prevalence of TLR expression in T-cell malignancies have yet to be characterized. Based on published reports and compelling preliminary data, we propose that the activation of the TLR-MyD88 signaling pathway in neoplastic T cells contributes to disease progression by reducing cell death and enhancing cell division. In this article, we present both theoretical arguments and experimental data in support of this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, Louisiana State University, Department of Pediatrics Hematology Oncology, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Cori
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Maria R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Baer
authors.forename: Dan P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Zandberg
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimball
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D053594:Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors