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Background
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Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are evolutionarily conserved pattern-recognition molecules resembling the toll proteins that mediate antimicrobial responses in Drosophila. These proteins recognize different microbial products during infection and serve as an important link between the innate and adaptive immune responses. The TLRs act through adaptor molecules to activate various kinases and transcription factors so the organism can respond to potential infection. These adaptor molecules include MyD88, TIRAP, TIRP, TOLLIP, and TRIF. These molecules interact with and activate the IL-1R-associated kinase (IRAK) family, which then activates TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF)-6, and ultimately leads to the activation of NF-?oB. While most TLRs utilize more than one adaptor, certain adaptor molecules are essential for individual TLR signaling, e.g., TLR4 signaling is dependent on TIRP expression.
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