The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family which plays a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. TLRs are highly conserved from Drosophila to humans and share structural and functional similarities. They recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are expressed on infectious agents, and mediate the production of cytokines necessary for the development of effective immunity. The various TLRs exhibit different patterns of expression. This receptor is most abundantly expressed in placenta and pancreas, and is restricted to the dendritic subpopulation of the leukocytes. It recognizes dsRNA associated with viral infection, and induces the activation of NF-kappaB and the production of type I interferons. It may thus play a role in host defense against viruses. Use of alternative polyadenylation sites to generate different length transcripts has been noted for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Ping, Xiaomu, Xufang, Liang: "Vinpocetine regulates levels of circulating TLRs in Parkinson's disease patients." in: Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, Issue 1, pp. 113-120, (2019) (PubMed).
Silver, Buckley, Hughes, Hastings, Nitabach, Fikrig: "Daily oscillations in expression and responsiveness of Toll-like receptors in splenic immune cells." in: Heliyon, Vol. 4, Issue 3, pp. e00579, (2018) (PubMed).
Liang, Aiqun, Jiwu, Ping: "TLR3 and TLR4 as potential clinical biomarkers for in-stent restenosis in drug-eluting stents patients." in: Immunologic research, Vol. 64, Issue 2, pp. 424-30, (2016) (PubMed).
Yang, Xie, Deng, Qin: "Expression of soluble Toll-like receptors in pleural effusions." in: Chinese medical journal, Vol. 123, Issue 16, pp. 2225-30, (2010) (PubMed).