title: Toll-like receptors and cutaneous melanoma.
abstract: Innate immune cells recognize highly conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Previous studies have demonstrated that PRRs also recognize endogenous molecules, termed damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that are derived from damaged cells. PRRs include Toll-like receptors (TLRs), scavenger receptors, C-type lectin receptors and nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptors. To date, 10 TLRs have been identified in humans and each receptor responds to a different ligand. The recognition of PAMPS or DAMPs by TLRs leads to the activation of signaling pathways and cellular responses with subsequent pro-inflammatory cytokine release, phagocytosis and antigen presentation. In the human skin, TLRs are expressed by keratinocytes and melanocytes: The main cells from which skin cancers arise. TLRs 1-6 and 9 are expressed in keratinocytes, while TLRs 2-5, 7, 9 and 10 have been identified in melanocytes. It is hypothesized that TLRs may present a target for melanoma therapies. In this review, the involvement of TLRs in the pathogenesis and treatment of melanoma was discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Padua 35128, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Coati
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Padua 35128, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Padua 35128, Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Padua 35128, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alaibac
keywords: Toll-like receptors; immunotherapy; melanoma