Authors: Ryan M. O'Connell; Supriya K. Saha; Genhong Cheng

Source: Current Immunology Reviews, Volume 1, Number 1, January 2005 , pp. 43-54(12)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Antibiotic resistance, bioterrorism and microbial induced autoimmune disorders have made bacterial infections a growing concern in our society. To confront these challenges, numerous studies over the past decade have focused on improving our understanding of the early immune response against microbial pathogens. Results from these investigations have demonstrated that the mammalian host recognizes infectious organisms through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that subsequently activate signal transduction pathways leading to gene transactivation. Global gene expression analyses have revealed that PRRs induce a large number of different immunomodulatory genes that can be divided into gene programs; sets of genes involved in initiating specific immunological functions. This review will focus on the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family of PRRs with respect to microbial recognition, signaling specificity and regulation of selected gene programs. Furthermore, the ability of bacterially expressed virulence factors to interfere with TLR-mediated responses will be addressed.

Keywords: autoimmune disorders; immunomodulatory genes; bioterrorism; pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573395052952950

Affiliations: 1: University of California, Los Angeles, Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, 8-240 Factor Building, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

Publication date: 2005-01-01

More about this publication?

• Current Immunology Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances in clinical immunology. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to clinical research in the field. The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians in clinical immunology.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Allergy & Immunology
• By this author: Ryan M. O'Connell ;  Supriya K. Saha ;  Genhong Cheng

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers