Holding the Inflammatory System in Check: TLRs and NLRs
1Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
2Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
3National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), North Carolina, USA
Holding the Inflammatory System in Check: TLRs and NLRs
Description
Aberrant inflammation has gained much attention in the field of immunology in the recent years due to its role in not only autoimmune disease development but also cancer oncogenesis. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptors (NLRs) and Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) are key regulators of innate immune responses. TLR and NLR signaling pathways have been shown to play an important role in disease development and exacerbation. Targeting of these receptors has shown promise in preclinical studies of autoimmune disorders and cancer. Recent clinical trials have been initiated to determine the efficacy of compounds targeting NLR and TLR pathways in improving disease outcomes.
The potential of NLR and TLR genes as regulators of inflammatory disorders has undergone extensive preclinical investigation. The signaling pathways for many of these receptors have been well-studied and are now better understood. Major challenges remain in potential ways to target these receptors at various stages of disease development and discover effective therapeutics.
We solicit high quality, original research articles, and review articles centered on research and development of NLR and TLR based therapies in the field of inflammation. We are particularly interested in manuscripts that report the clinical applications of approved or investigational drugs targeting NLR and TLR pathways in various fields of medicine (autoimmunity, oncology, cardiovascular, virology, etc.) with emphasis on efficacy and overall response. Reviews that discuss recent discoveries in basic research and summarize current clinical efforts and outcomes are encouraged.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Clinical studies
- Preclinical efficacy studies of NLR and TLR therapeutics in animal models
- Mechanistic studies investigating new potential roles of these receptors in cell activation
- Studies on combination therapies