TLR signaling in immune responses to viral infections

General

Our research group is focused on studying inter-individual differences in patients with chronic viral infections, such as Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis B (HBV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The primary area of interest is the signaling pathways of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLR7 and TLR9 are pattern recognition receptors that play a crucial role in the immune system's detection of viral infections. TLR7 primarily recognizes single-stranded RNA viruses, while TLR9 detects unmethylated CpG DNA sequences typically found in certain viral genomes. Both receptors activate innate immune responses, triggering the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and facilitating the activation of adaptive immunity to combat the infection.

Our overall aim is to investigate how genetic, molecular, and immunological variations among patients influence their responses to these chronic infections. By understanding TLR signaling mechanisms, we aim to develop new therapeutic strategies that can enhance or diminish individual immune responses and thus better manage disease progression in patients with chronic viral infections.