TLR+p2

__**The function of Toll-like Receptors**__

**Main points from video (time 0 - 1.52 relevant)** media type="youtube" key="iVa1swcEHDs" width="425" height="350" align="left"-TLRs can be found on dentritic cells and macrophages(not exclusively) -TLRs are only found on membranes -There are many types of TLRs (not all shown) -Each TLR responds to different stimuli -When the receptor is activated signals are sent through the cell Toll-like receptors are a specific class of immune receptors (explained on receptors page) which bind to substances that are associated with certain infectious agents (pathogen eg viruses bacteria etc). These substances are called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and often the same kind of PAMP is shown by closely related/similar pathogens; thus a TLR can be activated by more then one pathogen (Nerren et al. 2009 ). Once a PAMP binds to and activates a TLR a series of reactions are put in motion; not all of which are completely understood at this current time. Due to the TLR being activated the cell sends out chemical signals which attract more cells from the immune system to the area. These cells in most cases will eradicate the pathogen, thereby protecting the body (Schnare et al. 2001). This is called an immune response. next page previous page Home Contributed by Christopher Sutton