The Importance of Toll-Like Receptor 2 Polymorphisms in Severe Infections

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)is a member of the TLR family, which plays a central role in the innate immune response to a wide variety of microorganisms. Animal studies have shown thatTLR2-knockout mice are more susceptible to septicemia due to Staphylococcus sure us and Listeria monocyto genes,meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae,and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis,suggesting that functional TLR2polymorphisms may impair host response to a certain spectrum of microbial pathogens. In humans, 2 polymorphisms in the exon part of TLR2, which attenuatereceptor signaling, enhance the risk of acute severe infections, tuberculosis, and leprosy. Because gram-positive bacteria have became the first cause of severe infections, including septic shock, knowledge of the role that alteration or lack of TLR2function plays in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases could contribute to the design of new the rapeuticstrategies, including prevention, pharmacologicalintervention, and vaccine development.