Montero Vega M T, de Andrés Martín A
Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Madrid, Spain.
Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2009 Sep-Oct;37(5):252-63. doi: 10.1016/j.aller.2009.04.004. Epub 2009 Oct 22.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of transmembrane receptors that have been preserved throughout evolution and which selectively recognize a broad spectrum of microbial components and endogenous molecules released by injured tissue. Identification of these ligands by TLRs triggers signalling pathways which lead to the expression of numerous genes involved in a defensive response. In mammals, the products of these genes initiate inflammation, coordinate the effector functions of innate immunity, instruct and modulate adaptive immunity and initiate tissue repair and regeneration. Different mutations and experimental models which alter TLR function have revealed the significance of these receptors in susceptibility to infection and their involvement in the pathogenesis of a large number of non-infective inflammatory disorders such as cancer, allergy, autoimmunity, inflammatory bowel disease, or atherosclerosis. TLRs are currently viewed as important targets for the development of new vaccines and innovative therapies to prevent and treat human diseases.
Toll样受体（TLRs）是一类跨膜受体家族，在整个进化过程中得以保留，可选择性识别多种微生物成分以及受损组织释放的内源性分子。TLRs对这些配体的识别会触发信号通路，进而导致众多参与防御反应的基因表达。在哺乳动物中，这些基因的产物引发炎症，协调固有免疫的效应功能，指导和调节适应性免疫，并启动组织修复和再生。改变TLR功能的不同突变和实验模型已揭示出这些受体在感染易感性中的重要性，以及它们在大量非感染性炎症性疾病（如癌症、过敏、自身免疫性疾病、炎症性肠病或动脉粥样硬化）发病机制中的作用。目前，TLRs被视为开发预防和治疗人类疾病的新型疫苗及创新疗法的重要靶点。
