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Pivotal Advance: Endogenous pathway to SIRS, sepsis, and related conditions
Author(s) -
Tang Amy H.,
Brunn Gregory J.,
Cascalho Marilia,
Platt Jeffrey L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.1206752
Subject(s) - endogeny , biology , receptor , function (biology) , agonist , immunology , mechanism (biology) , neuroscience , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , endocrinology , epistemology , philosophy
TLRs are usually thought to recognize substances produced by microorganisms and thus, to initiate host defenses. This concept, however, fails to explain some functions of this family of receptors. Recognition of endogenous substances may explain the broader functions of TLRs in physiology and disease. Activation of TLRs by endogenous substances necessitates vigorous control of the function of the receptors. This communication will summarize a line of research, which points to an endogenous agonist for TLR4 and a putative mechanism for controlling the function of that receptor.