Toll like receptors (TLR) in autoimmune disease and atherosclerosis

Chronic inflammation and/or autoimmune responses have been associated with a number of diseases including atherosclerosis, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and others. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important receptors that recognize both exogenous and endogenous ligands and initiate signaling cascades, involving numerous adaptors, kinases and transcription factors, which ultimately lead to enhanced gene expression of cytokines and other factors associated with chronic inflammation or autoimmune reactions. TLRs represent a family of membrane bound receptors that are part of the larger pattern recognition receptor (PRR) family. TLRs play a role in both innate and adaptive immunity. As such TLRs are central to the processes of chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. In this review I discuss the molecular aspects of TLR signalling and how TLRs are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and autoimmune diseases.