Toll-like receptor 8 functions as a negative regulator of neurite outgrowth and inducer of neuronal apoptosis. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Toll receptors in Drosophila melanogaster function in morphogenesis and host defense. Mammalian orthologues of Toll, the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), have been studied extensively for their essential functions in controlling innate and adaptive immune responses. We report that TLR8 is dynamically expressed during mouse brain development and localizes to neurons and axons. Agonist stimulation of TLR8 in cultured cortical neurons causes inhibition of neurite outgrowth and induces apoptosis in a dissociable manner. Our evidence indicates that such TLR8-mediated neuronal responses do not involve the canonical TLR-NF-kappaB signaling pathway. These findings reveal novel functions for TLR8 in the mammalian nervous system that are distinct from the classical role of TLRs in immunity.

publication date

  • October 23, 2006

Research

keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Neurites
  • Neurons
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2064562

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 33750333015

PubMed ID

  • 17060494

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 175

issue

  • 2