Role of Toll-like Receptors in the Development of Organ Injury during Surgical Stress

Hironori Tsujimoto, Satoshi Ono and Hidetaka Mochizuki

Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College

The discovery that toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize endogenous or harmful self-antigens suggests that their function may not be restricted to the recognition of extrinsic pathogens. The fact that endogenous ligands, called "alarmins", released through TLR signaling engage with TLRs supports the idea of the perpetuation of a cycle of progressive organ injury during surgical stress. Modulation of TLR-4 expression, however, may be a double-edged sword, because TLRs are essential for triggering the host's immune response, acting as a sensor against invading pathogens. New knowledge on TLRs suggests that the manipulation of TLR signaling pathways has great therapeutic potential, and further understanding of TLR biology should open avenues for novel therapeutic approaches to organ injury accompanying surgical stress.

Key words
toll-like receptor, surgical stress, organ injury

Reprint requests
Hironori Tsujimoto Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College
3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8513 JAPAN

Accepted
February 20, 2008

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