Research progress of Toll-like receptor 4 and respiratory diseases

Human Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is one of the earliest TLR recognized, which induces activation of innate immune and acquired immune in mammals. It belongs to an important element of the innate immune system. Through identifying the molecular patterns associated with pathogen, it can cause signal transduction, lead to the release of inflammatory mediators, and eventually activate the acquired immune system. In recent years, many studies have shown that, as a transmembrane receptor, TLR4 is closely linked to a variety of respiratory diseases. The research about TLR4 makes us further understand the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, find a better anti-infective, anti-inflammatory treatment, open up broad prospects for the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases. This article overviews the relationship between the structure and function of TLR4 and a number of respiratory diseases. Key words: Toll-like receptor 4; Lipopolysaccharide ; Acute lung injury; Lung cancer