Innate immunity is the first line of defense for organisms against invading pathogens. Rapid activation of the innate immune system is important for developing the late stage pathogen specific adaptive immunity mediated by B and T cell activation.

The activation of innate immune cells is largely ensured by a pattern of receptors which recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In this context, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known to be the most essential players in the activation ofpathogen defense-related signal transduction cascades in immune cells. In addition to their physiological role and the recognition of PAMPs, TLRs are believed to play a role in development and progression of autoimmune disorders, which is at least partly attributed to their ability to recognize endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).

This special issue invites authors to submit original research articles as well as review articles on the topic of innate immunity and TLRs. The issue particularly welcomes original research articles related to the role of TLRs in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as infection and immunotherapy. Moreover, the issue encourages submission of original research articles and reviews on receptor cooperation or interaction between TLRs and other receptors and manuscripts on endogenous ligands (DAMPs) of TLRs.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• TLRs and autoimmune diseases
• TLRs in inflammation
• Activation, signaling, and transcriptional modulation of TLRs
• TLRs in clinical therapy
• TLR function in innate immune cells
• Endogenous ligands of Toll-like receptors
• Receptor cooperation and interaction between TLRs and other receptors