Toll-Like Receptors and Kidney Diseases

Korean Journal of Nephrology 2011;30(1):4-17.

Jung Woo Noh,

Hallym University Kidney Research Institute & Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea

종설 : Toll-Like Receptor와 신장질환

노정우

한림대학교 의과대학 신장연구소, 내과학교실 신장내과

Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern-recognition receptors which identify pathogens or microorganisms associated molecular patterns (PAMP or MAMP) at the very early stage of their invasion to the host. So TLRs had been known to play a key role in the innate immune system only at first. However, a growing body of evidence that they participate in the adaptive immune system has accumulated as well. Though the primary role of TLRs is the surveillance of invading pathogens and evocation of the innate immune system against them. TLRs, unfortunately, are also found to be involved in pathogenetic processes of many diseases. So over- or under-activation of TLRs is regarded as being related with the course of many diseases. Many kidney diseases including urinary tract infection, sepsis, ischemia- reperfusion injury, acute and chronic renal failure, glomerulonephritides either primary or secondary, and so forth are good examples where TLRs are working seriously. The author summarized the most recent evidences of the relationship between TLRs and the pathogenetic processes of many renal diseases.

Key Words: Toll-liike receptor, Kidney disease