ABSTRACT
The mammalian immune system senses pathogens through pattern recognition receptors and responds with activation. The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in this process. Their signaling activates these cells and leads to an innate immune response with subsequent initiation of an adaptive immune response. TLRs 7 and 8 that recognize single-stranded RNA and nucleoside analogs have been shown to lead to cellular activation and cytokine production, influencing immune responses against viruses and bacteria. The stimulation of these TLRs will be exploited for adjuvant therapy and immune response-directing anti-tumor and allergy treatments.
