Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns by TLR family.

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Akira S, Hemmi H

Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns by TLR family.

Immunol Lett. 2003 Jan 22;85(2):85-95.

PubMed ID

12527213 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are type I transmembrane proteins involved in innate immunity by recognizing microbial conserved structures. Recent studies have shown that TLR3 recognizes dsRNA, a viral product, whereas TLR9 recognizes unmethylated CpG motifs frequently found in the genome of bacteria and viruses, but not vertebrates. TLR7 recognizes small synthetic immune modifiers including imiquimod, R-848, loxoribine, and bropirimine, all of which are already applied or promising for clinical use against viral infections and cancers. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells express TLR7 and TLR9, and respond to TLR7 and TLR9 ligands by producing a large amount of interferon (IFN-alpha). These results indicate that TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 may play an important role in detecting and combating viral infections.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Imiquimod	Toll-like receptor 7	Protein	Humans	Yes	Agonist	Details