Toll-like receptors in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases: recent and emerging translational developments

Laura Duffy, Steven C O’Reilly Immunology and Cell Biology Group, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Abstract: Autoinflammatory diseases are defined as the loss of self-tolerance in which an inflammatory response to self-antigens occurs, which are a significant global burden. Toll-like receptors are key pattern recognition receptors, which integrate signals leading to the activation of transcription factors and ultimately proinflammatory cytokines. Recently, it has become apparent that these are at the nexus of autoinflammatory diseases making them viable and attractive drug targets. The aim of this review was to evaluate the role of innate immunity in autoinflammatory conditions alongside the role of negative regulation while suggesting possible therapeutic targets. Keywords: autoimmunity, toll-like receptors, danger signals, arthriti