Role of Toll-like receptors in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Toll-like receptors(TLRs), as the family members of type Ⅰ transmembrane receptors, play a pivotal role in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, TLRs are believed to be the cntical receptors in innate immunity . Innate immunity activated by the recognition of exogenous or endogenous by TLRs induces multiple cytokines that is the key factor to affect differentiation of naive T cells. Abnormal activation of TLIRs may cause the functional imbalance of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg, resulting in the occurence of autoimmune disease. Key words: Toll-like receptors; Rheumatoid arthritis; Signal transduction