anti- TLR4 antibody

Background

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a member of the toll-like receptor family of proteins, which play crucial roles in the innate immune system. TLR4 is well-known for its capacity to detect lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, which is a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) that signals the presence of bacterial infections. Upon binding to LPS, TLR4 triggers a cascade of immune responses, including the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These responses lead to a rapid immune reaction, making TLR4 essential for the early detection and management of bacterial infections. TLR4 is expressed in various cell types, including macrophages, dendritic cells, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. The receptor is unique among TLRs due to its ability to signal through two distinct adaptor pathways: MyD88-dependent and TRIF-dependent pathways, which allows TLR4 to activate a broad array of immune responses. While critical in defense against infection, excessive or dysregulated TLR4 activation can contribute to chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and septic shock, making TLR4 a target of interest for both enhancing and dampening immune responses therapeutically.