Toll-like receptors in inflammation of the central nervous system

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) belong to pattern-recognition receptor family that could recognize exogenous pathogen-associated molecular patterns and endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns. TLRs play pivotal roles in innate and adaptive immune responses. In this review we summarize the ligands and signal transduction pathways of TLRs and highlight recent progress of the involvement of TLRs in neuroinflammation related disorders, including cerebral ischemia/stroke, brain trauma and hemorrhage, pathogen infection and autoimmune diseases, and explore the potential of TLR signaling as therapeutic targets against these disorders. ► TLRs are involved in in neural injury related inflammation. ► TLRs play important roles in pathogen infection-induced neuroinflammation. ► TLRs are also related to autoimmune diseases in CNS. ► TLRs are potential therapeutic targets against neuroinflammation.