The role of Toll-like receptors in combating mycobacteria

Semin Immunol. 2004 Feb;16(1):35-41. doi: 10.1016/j.smim.2003.10.005.

Abstract

In the battle against infections with mycobacteria, the body employs components of both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate the activation of cells of the innate immune system leading to dynamic functions including direct anti-microbial activity, induction of cytokine secretion, triggering dendritic cell maturation, and triggering apoptosis. Furthermore, TLR activation is capable of modulating the adaptive immune response with a bias towards a Th1 T-cell response. However, the activation of TLRs by mycobacteria may also provide a means of immune evasion. Therefore, the modulation of TLR activation can influence the ability to properly destroy invading pathogens such as mycobacteria.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Immune Tolerance / physiology
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology
  • Ligands
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / physiology
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / chemistry
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Models, Immunological
  • Mycobacterium Infections / immunology*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology
  • Skin / chemistry
  • Skin / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptors

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Toll-Like Receptors