Toll-like receptor 4 and the inflammation during aging

Abstract

Aging is significantly associated with inflammation, which contribute to the induction of several chronic inflammatory based diseases such as type 2 diabetes, age-related muscle wasting, and kidney dysfunctions. The detailed mechanisms involved in the induction of inflammation during aging are yet to be identified. However, it has been hypothesized that innate immunity sensors may be involved. Toll like receptors (TLRs) are a family of innate immunity sensors that play a significant role in the inducing inflammation in response to microbes or internal molecules. Therefore, TLRs can participate in the induction of inflammation. TLR4, as a member of the TLR family, is an important sensor that plays key roles in the detection of microbes and internal molecules in order to induce inflammation. Therefore, it may be hypothesized that TLR4 is a component of inflammation in the elderly population. The aim of this review is to explore the roles played by TLR4 in the induction/stimulation of inflammatory related complications during aging.