Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) normally recognizes exogenous single-stranded RNA for the activation of innate immunity. Here the authors show that TLR7 may also contribute, via the modulation of mast cell functions, to experimental, cigarette smoke-induced mouse models of emphysema, thereby hinting TLR7 as a potential therapeutic target for human lung inflammation.
- Gang Liu
- Tatt Jhong Haw
- Philip M. Hansbro
