Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directions

As a chronic inflammatory illness of the respiratory system, asthma occurs due to various factors and is characterized by a T helper 2 (Th2)-skewed immune response, airway hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) perform a “double-edged sword” function in a...

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Main Authors: Xinyi Xu, Ruihan Yu, Zhuoqun Yang, Chenyu Li, Huabao Xiong, Chunxia Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1605185/full
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author Xinyi Xu
Ruihan Yu
Zhuoqun Yang
Chenyu Li
Huabao Xiong
Chunxia Li
author_facet Xinyi Xu
Ruihan Yu
Zhuoqun Yang
Chenyu Li
Huabao Xiong
Chunxia Li
author_sort Xinyi Xu
collection DOAJ
description As a chronic inflammatory illness of the respiratory system, asthma occurs due to various factors and is characterized by a T helper 2 (Th2)-skewed immune response, airway hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) perform a “double-edged sword” function in asthma-related immunological dysregulation by recognizing damage-associated molecular patterns and pathogen-associated molecular patterns. In turn, the activation of some TLRs stimulates epithelial cells to release inflammatory cytokines, exacerbating Th2-driven inflammation and contributing to airway remodeling. Certain TLR signals help inhibit allergic responses by inducing type I interferon or regulatory T cells. The TLR family comprises 10 members, each responsible for recognizing the distinct molecular structure of multiple microbial sources. Variations in environmental microbial exposure duration and host genetic background contribute to the complexity of the TLR signaling network during asthma development. In recent years, therapeutic strategies targeting TLRs have shown potential for asthma treatment. However, a comprehensive review of TLRs in asthma is lacking. Therefore, this review sought to examine the functional mechanisms of TLRs and associated signaling cascades in asthma, and explore novel prevention and treatment approaches centered on TLRs modulation.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1664-3224
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Immunology
spelling doaj-art-4a35ff1d8ed740559cdd8ea773dc2ff52025-08-20T03:33:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-07-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.16051851605185Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directionsXinyi XuRuihan YuZhuoqun YangChenyu LiHuabao XiongChunxia LiAs a chronic inflammatory illness of the respiratory system, asthma occurs due to various factors and is characterized by a T helper 2 (Th2)-skewed immune response, airway hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) perform a “double-edged sword” function in asthma-related immunological dysregulation by recognizing damage-associated molecular patterns and pathogen-associated molecular patterns. In turn, the activation of some TLRs stimulates epithelial cells to release inflammatory cytokines, exacerbating Th2-driven inflammation and contributing to airway remodeling. Certain TLR signals help inhibit allergic responses by inducing type I interferon or regulatory T cells. The TLR family comprises 10 members, each responsible for recognizing the distinct molecular structure of multiple microbial sources. Variations in environmental microbial exposure duration and host genetic background contribute to the complexity of the TLR signaling network during asthma development. In recent years, therapeutic strategies targeting TLRs have shown potential for asthma treatment. However, a comprehensive review of TLRs in asthma is lacking. Therefore, this review sought to examine the functional mechanisms of TLRs and associated signaling cascades in asthma, and explore novel prevention and treatment approaches centered on TLRs modulation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1605185/fulltoll-like receptorstoll-like receptors signalingasthmaimmune cellsinflammationcytokines
spellingShingle Xinyi Xu
Ruihan Yu
Zhuoqun Yang
Chenyu Li
Huabao Xiong
Chunxia Li
Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directions
Frontiers in Immunology
toll-like receptors
toll-like receptors signaling
asthma
immune cells
inflammation
cytokines
title Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directions
title_full Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directions
title_fullStr Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directions
title_full_unstemmed Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directions
title_short Toll-like receptor-mediated immune imbalance in asthma: controversies, breakthroughs, and future directions
title_sort toll like receptor mediated immune imbalance in asthma controversies breakthroughs and future directions
topic toll-like receptors
toll-like receptors signaling
asthma
immune cells
inflammation
cytokines
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1605185/full
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