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Reducing the Toll of Inflammatory Lung Disease^*

^* From the Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

Correspondence to: Ian Sabroe, PhD, Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, L Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK; e-mail: i.sabroe{at}sheffield.ac.uk

Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pivotal in human response to microbial stimuli. Their activation and signaling underpin much of the observed epidemiologic data generated by the hygiene hypothesis, and their contribution to infectious exacerbations of airways disease is likely to be highly important. Our growing knowledge in this field will have a significant impact on the understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, and TLR-based therapies are already in early clinical trials to modify atopic disease severity.

Key Words: hygiene • infection • Toll-like receptor • treatment