TLR4 Antibody

TLR4, the human homolog of Drosophila Toll, is a type I transmembrane protein with an extracellular domain consisting of a leucine-rich repeat region and an intracellular domain homologous to that of human interleukin-1 receptor. The TLR4 gene is mapped to chromosome 9q32-q33 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. It detects lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria and is thus important in the activation of the innate immune system. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, which plays a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. TLRs are highly conserved from Drosophila to humans and share structural and functional similarities. They recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns(PAMPs) that are expressed on infectious agents, and mediate the production of cytokines necessary for the development of effective immunity.