Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of evolutionarily conserved molecules that directly detect pathogen invasion or tissue damage and initiate a biological response. TLRs can signal through two primary intracellular pathways and as such can induce either immuno-stimulatory or immuno-modulatory molecules. Both sides of this twin-edged sword are being examined for their therapeutic potential in combating neurological disease. The immuno-stimulatory properties of TLRs are being used to generate tumor-specific immune responses to CNS tumors while the immuno-modulatory properties are being used to suppress damaging inflammatory responses to stroke. Recently, a third component of TLR signaling has begun to emerge-that of direct neuroprotection. Hence, the TLRs offer novel targets for the treatment of neurological disease.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 8-13 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Current Opinion in Pharmacology |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2008 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery