Toll-like receptor 8 functions as a negative regulator of neurite outgrowth and inducer of neuronal apoptosis

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-κB 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

Targeting t-cell adhesion molecules for drug design

10.2174/138161206777947696Current Pharmaceutical Design12222797-2812CPDE

Structure-activity studies of peptides from the "hot-spot" region of human CD2 protein: Development of peptides for immunomodulation

10.1021/jm0503547Journal of Medicinal Chemistry48206236-6249JMCM