In Briefobserved in wild-type mice treated with IL-1ra might therefore be caused by a receptorother than IL-1RI in brain. What might thisreceptor be? A search of the human genomereveals an additional seven receptorshomologous to IL-1RI that could becontenders. Only two of these have beenascribed functions: IL-1Rrp1, which is thereceptor for IL-18, and AcPL, the accessoryprotein for this receptor. All the otherreceptors identified are orphans and two ofthem, IL-1RAPL and IL-1Rrp2, have beenshown to be expressed in brain. It is possiblethat they bind IL-1 and elicit the damagingeffects in IL-1RI knockout mice. Whatever thereceptor might be, its identification willallow the possibility of developing agentsthat would block brain damage induced byIL-1, without interfering with other activitiesof IL-1 that are important for host defence.
No abstract is provided for this article.
Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is subjected to crosstalk from other signals, with a resulting positive or negative effect. There is complex crosstalk between the NLR family of immune-regulatory molecules and TLRs, and C-type lectin receptors such as Dectin-1 synergize with TLR2 via the tyrosine kinase Syk. Bruton's tyrosine kinase plays an important positive role in TLR signaling, whereas the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases is inhibitory. The tyrosine phosphatase SHP1 has been shown to positively regulate induction of interferon-β, whereas SHP2 inhibits the kinase TBK1, limiting this response. K63-linked polyubiquination has also been shown to be critical for the initiation of TLR signaling. Finally, glucocorticoids affect TLR signaling by inducing the phosphatase MKP1 and inhibiting TBK1 activation. These recent findings emphasize the importance of considering TLR signaling in the context of other signaling pathways, as is likely to occur in vivo during infection and inflammation.
No abstract is provided for this article.
The past 10 years have seen the description of families of receptors that drive proinflammatory cytokine production in infection and tissue injury. Two major classes have been examined in the context of inflammatory joint disease - the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs). TLRs such as TLR2 and TLR4 are being implicated in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lyme arthritis and osteoarthritis. Nalp3 has been identified as a key NLR for IL-1β production and has been shown to have a particular role in gout. These findings present new therapeutic opportunities, possibly allowing for the replacement of biologics with small molecule inhibitors.
No abstract is provided for this article.
Since first being described in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have proven to be of great interest to immunologists and investigators interested in the molecular basis to inflammation. They recognize pathogen-derived factors and also products of inflamed tissue, and trigger signaling pathways that lead to activation of transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappaB and the interferon regulatory factors. These in turn lead to induction of immune and inflammatory genes, including such important cytokines as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and type I interferon. Much evidence points to a role for TLRs in immune and inflammatory diseases and increasingly in cancer. Examples include clear roles for TLR4 in sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and allergy. TLR2 has been implicated in similar pathologic conditions and also in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and tumor metastasis. TLR7 has also been shown to be important in SLE. TLR5 has been shown to be radioprotective. Recent advances in our understanding of signaling pathways activated by TLRs, structural insights into TLRs bound to their ligands and antagonists, and approaches to inhibit TLRs (including antibodies, peptides, and small molecules) are providing possiblemeans by which to interfere with TLRs clinically. Here we review these recent advances and speculate about whether manipulating TLRs is likely to be successful in fighting off different diseases.
No abstract is provided for this article.
