Biomaterial Database

Toll-Like receptors (TLRs) and their ligands. 2008

Satoshi Uematsu, and Shizuo Akira

Department of Host Defense, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.

The innate immune system is an evolutionally conserved host defense mechanism against pathogens. Innate immune responses are initiated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which recognize microbial components that are essential for the survival of the microorganism. PRRs are germline-encoded, nonclonal, and expressed constitutively in the host. Different PRRs react with specific ligands and lead to distinct antipathogen responses. Among them, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are capable of sensing organisms ranging from bacteria to fungi, protozoa, and viruses, and they play a major role in innate immunity. Here, we review the mechanism of pathogen recognition by TLRs.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007113	Immunity, Innate	The capacity of a normal organism to remain unaffected by microorganisms and their toxins. It results from the presence of naturally occurring ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS, constitutional factors such as BODY TEMPERATURE and immediate acting immune cells such as NATURAL KILLER CELLS.	Immunity, Native,Immunity, Natural,Immunity, Non-Specific,Resistance, Natural,Innate Immune Response,Innate Immunity,Immune Response, Innate,Immune Responses, Innate,Immunity, Non Specific,Innate Immune Responses,Native Immunity,Natural Immunity,Natural Resistance,Non-Specific Immunity
D008024	Ligands	A molecule that binds to another molecule, used especially to refer to a small molecule that binds specifically to a larger molecule, e.g., an antigen binding to an antibody, a hormone or neurotransmitter binding to a receptor, or a substrate or allosteric effector binding to an enzyme. Ligands are also molecules that donate or accept a pair of electrons to form a coordinate covalent bond with the central metal atom of a coordination complex. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Ligand
D009181	Mycoses	Diseases caused by FUNGI.	Fungus Diseases,Fungal Diseases,Fungal Infections,Fungus Infections,Disease, Fungal,Disease, Fungus,Diseases, Fungal,Diseases, Fungus,Fungal Disease,Fungal Infection,Fungus Disease,Fungus Infection,Infection, Fungal,Infection, Fungus,Infections, Fungal,Infections, Fungus
D011528	Protozoan Infections	Infections with unicellular organisms formerly members of the subkingdom Protozoa.	Histomoniasis,Infections, Protozoan,Histomoniases,Infection, Protozoan,Protozoan Infection
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001424	Bacterial Infections	Infections by bacteria, general or unspecified.	Bacterial Disease,Bacterial Infection,Infection, Bacterial,Infections, Bacterial,Bacterial Diseases
D014777	Virus Diseases	A general term for diseases caused by viruses.	Viral Diseases,Viral Infections,Virus Infections,Disease, Viral,Disease, Virus,Diseases, Viral,Diseases, Virus,Infection, Viral,Infection, Virus,Infections, Viral,Infections, Virus,Viral Disease,Viral Infection,Virus Disease,Virus Infection
D051193	Toll-Like Receptors	A family of pattern recognition receptors characterized by an extracellular leucine-rich domain and a cytoplasmic domain that share homology with the INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTOR and the DROSOPHILA toll protein. Following pathogen recognition, toll-like receptors recruit and activate a variety of SIGNAL TRANSDUCING ADAPTOR PROTEINS.	Receptors, Toll-Like,Toll-Like Receptor,Receptor, Toll-Like,Receptors, Toll Like,Toll Like Receptor,Toll Like Receptors