Activation of innate immunity in the CNS triggers neurodegeneration through a Toll-like receptor 4-dependent pathway.
Authors:Lehnardt S, Massillon L, Follett P, Jensen FE, Ratan R, Rosenberg PA, Volpe JJ, Vartanian T
Journal:Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
PubMed ID:12824464
Innate immunity is an evolutionarily ancient system that provides organisms with immediately available defense mechanisms through recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. We show that in the CNS, specific activation of innate immunity through a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent pathway leads to neurodegeneration. We identify microglia as the major lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive ... More