Abstract
The use of bacteria and bacterial extracts for immunotherapy has a checkered past. Recent developments in immunology reveal that these nonspecific immune activators actually work by triggering specific receptors that are expressed by subsets of immune cells. Identification of these receptors and the molecular signaling pathways that they activate has enabled a new era of specific targeted immunotherapy using chemically synthesized mimics of pathogen molecules.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
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Bacteria / chemistry
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Bacteria / immunology*
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CpG Islands / immunology*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Humans
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Immunotherapy / methods*
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Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
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Mice
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Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
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Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
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Subcellular Fractions / immunology
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Toll-Like Receptor 9
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Toll-Like Receptors
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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TLR9 protein, human
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Tlr9 protein, mouse
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Toll-Like Receptor 9
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Toll-Like Receptors