Role of TLRs/MyD88 in host resistance and pathogenesis during protozoan infection: lessons from malaria

Semin Immunopathol. 2008 Feb;30(1):41-51. doi: 10.1007/s00281-007-0103-2. Epub 2007 Dec 11.

Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important to initiate the innate immune response to a wide variety of pathogens. The protective role of TLRs during infection with protozoan parasites has been established. In this regard, malaria represents an exception where activation of TLRs seems to be deleterious to the host. In this article, we review the recent findings indicating the contrasting role of Myeloid Differentiation Primary-Response gene 88 (MyD88) and TLRs during malaria and infection with other protozoa. These findings suggest that MyD88 may represent an Achilles' heel during Plasmodium infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / immunology
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Malaria / metabolism
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / immunology
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism*
  • Protozoan Infections / immunology*
  • Protozoan Infections / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Toll-Like Receptors / agonists
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Glycosylphosphatidylinositols
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Toll-Like Receptors