The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the
toll-like receptor (TLR) family which play a fundamental role in
pathogen recognition and activation of
innate immunity. TLRs are highly conserved from
Drosophila to humans and share structural and functional similarities. They recognize
pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are expressed on infectious agents, and mediate the production of
cytokines necessary for the development of effective immunity. TLR10 is unique among the TLR family in having an anti-inflammatory function, rather than a pro-inflammatory function. This was discovered by over-expressing TLR10 in human cell lines and using antibody-mediated engagement of the receptor on primary human cells. When TLR10 is activated in this manner, it suppresses the amount of cytokines produced, as compared to control cells. TLR10 engagement also has long-term effects on
monocyte and
B cell activation/differentiation by suppressing the transcription of activation markers. TLR10's mechanism of action is not yet known but activation of the receptor has been shown to suppress
NF-κB,
MAP kinase and
Akt signaling events stimulated by TLR and
CD40 ligands. The computational analysis reported that TLR10 can interact with
peptidoglycan and (triacyl) lipopeptides in concert with TLR2 (as a
heterodimer). Some ligands of TLR10 have been recently described:
HIV-1 gp41,
Helicobacter pylori LPS (TLR2/10),
Listeria monocytogenes,
B burgdorferi,
H1N1/
H5N1. == Expression ==