TB, or not TB: that is the question -- does TLR signaling hold the answer?

J Clin Invest. 2004 Dec;114(12):1699-703. doi: 10.1172/JCI23867.

Abstract

Innate immunity critically depends on signaling by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that rely heavily on an intracellular adapter protein called myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). Adaptive immune defenses are generally thought to be orchestrated by innate immune responses and so should require intact TLR-MyD88 signaling pathways. But a surprising new study in MyD88-null mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenges this view and instead suggests that MyD88 may not be absolutely required for a normal adaptive immune response.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Differentiation / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / metabolism
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Phagosomes / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / chemistry*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Tuberculosis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • MYD88 protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Myd88 protein, mouse
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Toll-Like Receptors