Salaun Bruno, Romero Pedro, Lebecque Serge
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Epalinges, Switzerland.
Eur J Immunol. 2007 Dec;37(12):3311-8. doi: 10.1002/eji.200737744.
Toll-like receptors (TLR) have emerged as key players in the detection of pathogens and the induction of anti-microbial immune response. TLR recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and trigger anti-microbial innate immune responses ranging from the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators to the increase of natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Besides activating the innate immune response, TLR engagement also shapes the adaptive immune response. Indeed, the broad diversity of signaling pathways initiated by TLR is progressively unraveled. Recent reports suggested that among the anti-microbial defenses they initiate, members of the TLR family can induce apoptosis. This review focuses on this newly described function of TLR, and emphasizes the similarities and differences between the different apoptosis-signaling pathways described downstream of TLR. The functional relevance of TLR-triggered apoptosis is also discussed, as therapeutic applications are likely to ensue in the near future.
Toll样受体（TLR）已成为检测病原体和诱导抗微生物免疫反应的关键参与者。TLR识别病原体相关分子模式，并触发从促炎介质分泌到自然杀伤细胞细胞毒性增加的抗微生物固有免疫反应。除了激活固有免疫反应外，TLR的参与还塑造了适应性免疫反应。事实上，由TLR启动的信号通路的广泛多样性正在逐步被揭示。最近的报告表明，在它们启动的抗微生物防御中，TLR家族成员可诱导细胞凋亡。本综述聚焦于TLR这一新描述的功能，并强调TLR下游描述的不同细胞凋亡信号通路之间的异同。还讨论了TLR触发的细胞凋亡的功能相关性，因为在不久的将来可能会有治疗应用。
