Scientific background: |
TLR7(Toll-like receptor 7) is protein that in humans is encoded by the TLR7 gene. Orthologs are found in mammals and birds. TLR7 is a member of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family which plays a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. TLRs are highly conserved from Drosophila to humans and share structural and functional similarities. They recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are expressed on infectious agents, and mediate the production of cytokines necessary for the development of effective immunity. The various TLRs exhibit different patterns of expression. This gene is predominantly expressed in lung, placenta, and spleen, and lies in close proximity to another family member, TLR8, on human chromosome X. TLR7 recognises single stranded RNA in endosomes, which is a common feature of viral genomes which are internalised by macrophages. |
References: |
1.Diebold, S. S., Kaisho, T., Hemmi, H., Akira, S., Reis e Sousa, C.Innate antiviral responses by means of TLR7-mediated recognition of single-stranded RNA.Science 303: 1529-1531, 2004.
2.Hayashi, T., Gray, C. S., Chan, M., Tawatao, R., Ronacher, L., McGargill, M. A., Datta, S. K., Carson, D. A., Corr, M.Prevention of autoimmune disease by induction of tolerance to Toll-like receptor 7.
3.Hemmi, H., Kaisho, T., Takeuchi, O., Sato, S., Sanjo, H., Hoshino, K., Horiuchi, T., Tomizawa, H., Takeda, K., Akira, S.Small anti-viral compounds activate immune cells via the TLR7 MyD88-dependent signaling pathway.Nature Immun. 3: 196-200, 2002.
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