Bondarenko, V.M., Likhoded, V.G.

Microbial factor and Toll-like receptors in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia

Lypopolysaccharides of gram-negative bacteria can interact with TLR4 with subsequent formation of atheromas. Mutational deletion of TLR4 decreases risk of development of atherosclerosis. Other bacterial ligands, in particular, peptidoglycan as well as endogenous ligands reacting with TLRs and emerging in microorganism under the action of stress factors can contribute to induction of atherosclerosis. It has been concluded, that reactions initiated by interaction of TLRs with exogenous and endogenous ligands lie in the basis of atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2009, No. 6, P. 107—112