IMMUNOLOGY Pathogen Protection via Toll-like Receptors

Mammalian Toll-like receptor (TLR) proteins have evolved to detect a range of molecular cues displayed by pathogens, such as components of bacterial cell walls and viral nucleic acids (see the Perspective by O'Neill). Zhang et al. present evidence for a new member of the mammalian TLR family, TLR11, which plays a role in protecting the urogenital tract from bacterial pathogens. TLR7 and TLR8 have yet to be assigned specific pathogen-derived ligands. Diebold et al. observed recognition of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) from influenza virus by TLR7 in mice and found that stimulation of this receptor pathway within the endosome of the dendritic cell induced antiviral cytokine expression. Heil et al. also observed guanosine (G)- and uridine (U)-rich ssRNA sequence detection by TLR7 in mouse dendritic cells. However, in human cells, TLR8, rather than TLR7, detected GU-rich ssRNA sequences of human immunodeficiency virus type-1, highlighting a level of divergence in TLR-mediated viral RNA detection between species.

L. A. J. O'Neill, After the Toll rush. Science 303, 1481-1482 (2004). [Summary] [Full Text]

D. Zhang, G. Zhang, M. S. Hayden, M. B. Greenblatt, C. Bussey, R. A. Flavell, S. Ghosh, A Toll-like receptor that prevents infection by uropathogenic bacteria. Science 303, 1522-1526 (2004). [Abstract] [Full Text]

S. S. Diebold, T. Kaisho, H. Hemmi, S. Akira, C. Reis e Sousa, Innate antiviral responses by means of TLR7-mediated recognition of single-stranded RNA. Science 303, 1529-1531 (2004). [Abstract] [Full Text]

F. Heil, H. Hemmi, H. Hochrein, F. Ampenberger, C. Kirschning, S. Akira, G. Lipford, H. Wagner, S. Bauer, Species-specific recognition of single-stranded RNA via Toll-like receptor 7 and 8. Science 303, 1526-1529 (2004). [Abstract] [Full Text]

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In Science Signaling

REVIEWS
The Interleukin-1 Receptor/Toll-Like Receptor Superfamily: Signal Transduction During Inflammation and Host Defense

Aisling Dunne and Luke A. J. O'Neill (25 February 2003)
Sci. STKE 2003 (171), re3. [DOI: 10.1126/stke.2003.171.re3]
 |  Gloss »  |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Update »

In Science Magazine

REPORTS
Innate Antiviral Responses by Means of TLR7-Mediated Recognition of Single-Stranded RNA

Sandra S. Diebold, Tsuneyasu Kaisho, Hiroaki Hemmi, Shizuo Akira, and Caetano Reis e Sousa (5 March 2004)
Science 303 (5663), 1529. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1093616]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Supporting Online Material »

REPORTS
Species-Specific Recognition of Single-Stranded RNA via Toll-like Receptor 7 and 8

Florian Heil, Hiroaki Hemmi, Hubertus Hochrein, Franziska Ampenberger, Carsten Kirschning, Shizuo Akira, Grayson Lipford, Hermann Wagner, and Stefan Bauer (5 March 2004)
Science 303 (5663), 1526. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1093620]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Supporting Online Material »

PERSPECTIVES
IMMUNOLOGY: After the Toll Rush

Luke A. J. O'Neill (5 March 2004)
Science 303 (5663), 1481. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1096113]
 |  Summary »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

REPORTS
A Toll-like Receptor That Prevents Infection by Uropathogenic Bacteria

Dekai Zhang, Guolong Zhang, Matthew S. Hayden, Matthew B. Greenblatt, Crystal Bussey, Richard A. Flavell, and Sankar Ghosh (5 March 2004)
Science 303 (5663), 1522. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1094351]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Supporting Online Material »