Description
Toll-like receptor-3 (TLR-3), also known as CD283, is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein and member of the TLR family which play a fundamental role in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity (1). 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 (2). TLR-3 is expressed primarily in dendritic cells of the placenta and pancreas where it can reside on both sides of the plasma membrane and in the endosomal compartment of the cells. It is also expressed in macrophages, micoglia and astrocytes, and is upregulated by IFNβ and LPS (4). TLR-3 recognizes dsRNA associated with viral infection, and induces the activation of NFκB and the production of type I interferons (5). It also signals the p53 pathway to trigger apoptosis in cells infected with dsRNA viruses