Dampening CD4+ immune cell function via the protein TLR4

However, José M. González-Navajas, Eyal Raz and colleagues, at the University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, have now determined that triggering TLR4 on CD4+ T cells dampens their inflammatory function, as TLR4 deficiency in two mouse models of colitis (inflammation of the intestines) accelerated the development of disease and/or induced more severe disease.

Further analysis identified a molecular signaling pathway underlying the inhibitory effects of TLR4 triggering on CD4+ T cell inflammatory function, providing insight into the regulation of CD4+ T cell responses.

The research appears in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.