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The Role of Toll-Like Receptors in Host Defenses and Their Relevance to Dermatologic Diseases

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  • Toll-Like Receptors in Dermatologic Diseases
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Abstract

The family of toll-like receptors (TLRs) plays a central role in the cutaneous immune defense system. To date, different TLRs have been found on several major cell populations of the skin, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, antigen-presenting cells, and melanocytes.

Activation of TLRs leads, via different intracellular signaling pathways, to the production of pro-inflammatory stimuli, and is considered a danger signal that should transform the skin in to the functional state of defense. However, TLRs have also been implicated in tissue homeostasis and renewal.

Within the group of TLRs, two types have been identified: surface-expressed TLRs, which are predominantly active against bacterial cell wall compounds; and intracellular receptors, which preferentially recognize virus-associated pattern molecules. In addition, surface-expressed receptors trigger phagocytotic and maturation signals, while the intracellular TLRs lead to the induction of antiviral genes.

Our review aims to outline the importance of TLRs in the pathogenesis of numerous skin diseases and the potential of TLR agonists as a treatment option for various skin diseases.

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Acknowledgments

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Skin Cancer Center Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Dorothea Terhorst

  2. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Biederstein, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany

    Behnam Naderi Kalali, Markus Ollert, Johannes Ring &  Martin Mempel

  3. Clinical Research Division of Molecular and Clinical Allergotoxicology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany

    Behnam Naderi Kalali, Markus Ollert &  Martin Mempel

  4. Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy, Helmholtz Center Munich/Technische Universität München, Biedersteiner Str. 29, D-80802, Munich, Germany

    Johannes Ring &  Martin Mempel

Authors
  1. Dorothea Terhorst
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  2. Behnam Naderi Kalali
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  3. Markus Ollert
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  4. Johannes Ring
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  5. Martin Mempel
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Correspondence to Martin Mempel.

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Terhorst, D., Kalali, B.N., Ollert, M. et al. The Role of Toll-Like Receptors in Host Defenses and Their Relevance to Dermatologic Diseases. AM J Clin Dermatol 11, 1–10 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2165/11311110-000000000-00000

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