[The role of myeloid differential protein-2 in innate immunity]

Abstract

As typical PRRs (pattern-recognition receptors), TLRs (Toll-like receptors) play an important role during innate immunity recognition. MD-2 (myeloid differential protein-2) may contain distinct functional domains that can separately and simultaneously bind TLRs (TLR4 or TLR2) and TLR ligands, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The special structure of MD-2 may result in its three main functions: (1) An association with TLR4 that amplifies TLR4 responsiveness to ligands, especially LPS. (2) Enabling TLR2-mediated responses to LPS and enhancing TLR2-mediated responses to bacteria and their cell wall components. (3) Increasing the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and possibly influencing the correct intracellular distribution of TLR4. Importantly, while MD-2 regulation of TLR expression and distribution is well established, determining whether the interaction is direct or not will require further study. Thus, MD-2 is not only an assistant molecule of TLR4 but is also a key regulatory molecule in innate immunity, and may play important roles during infection, inflammation, immune responses and many other pathologic and physiologic processes.