TLR4/CD284

TLR4, designated CD284 in the CD nomenclature, is the pattern-recognition receptor for lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria. Ligand engagement recruits the co-receptors MD-2 and CD14 and triggers both MyD88-dependent NF-κB signaling and the TRIF-driven interferon pathway. Structurally, it comprises an extracellular leucine-rich repeat domain, a single transmembrane helix and an intracellular Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) motif. Although best studied on myeloid cells, TLR4 is also displayed on T lymphocytes, where it can costimulate activation and proliferation independently of antigen receptor signaling. Dysregulated TLR4 signaling is implicated in septic shock, chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis, making the receptor a long-standing target for sepsis and vaccine-adjuvant research.