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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2008 Oct 17.
Published in final edited form as: Annu Rev Biochem. 2001 Nov 9;71:635–700. doi: 10.1146/annurev.biochem.71.110601.135414

Figure 3. Detection of lipid A by the TLR4 innate immunity receptor of animal cells.

Figure 3

The paradigm is based mainly on studies of the human, mouse and hamster systems (12-15, 27, 31, 368). We speculate that the TLR4 receptor may be oligomerized upon binding of lipid A. The TRL4 mediated inflammatory response is beneficial in combating localized infections, but may be detrimental in overwhelming systemic sepsis. Novel therapies of sepsis directed against the disseminated intravascular coagulation component using recombinant activated protein C have recently shown efficacy in human trials (23). Combination therapy with TLR4 antagonists (369) remains to be explored.