The Role of Toll-like Receptors in Age-Associated Lung Diseases.
Volkova, Maria 1; Zhang, Yitao 1; Shaw, Albert C. 2; Lee, Patty J. 1
[Article]
Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences.
67A(3):247-253, March 2012.
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The aging lung is faced with unique challenges. The lungs are the only internal organ with a direct interface with both the internal and the external environments and as a consequence are constantly sampling diverse, potentially injurious, elements. Therefore, the lungs have evolved a sophisticated, multilayered detection system to distinguish low-level, nonharmful signals from those that are toxic. A family of innate immune receptors, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), appears to serve such a function. Initially described as pattern-recognition receptors that recognize and protect against microbes, TLRs can also respond to diverse, nonmicrobial signals. The role of Toll-like receptors in noninfectious, age-related chronic lung disease is poorly understood. This review presents our current understanding of the biology of age-related lung diseases with a focus on the role of Toll-like receptors in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and late-onset asthma.
(C) Copyright Oxford University Press 2012.