Toll like receptor - potential drug targets in infectious disease.
Toll like receptors (TLR) play a critical role in the recognition and response of pathogens by the innate immune system. Pathogen engagement of the TLR-MyD88 pathway favours the development of a protective Th1-biased T cell response. Interruption of TLR recognition or signalling has profound effects on innate immunity. Agonists or antagonists of specific TLRs modulate the host response to microbial infections and have effects beyond infectious control and may be used as immunostimulators in vaccine, cancer, inflammatory disorders and allergy.