Activation of toll-like receptors by microbial lipoproteins

In Drosophila, the Toll family of proteins are central to innate defense against microbial pathogens. Conserved throughout evolution, mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in innate immunity. TLRs mediate activation by microbial ligands including lipoproteins, resulting in the activation of IL-12 and nitric oxide synthase. Microbial lipoproteins also induce host cell apoptosis. In this manner, the ability of microbial lipoproteins to activate TLRs can contribute to host defense and immunopathology during infection.