Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), integral to the immune system as a primary sensor for flagellin, is central to the link between innate and adaptive immunity, modulating immune responses and cytokine production essential for defense against flagellated pathogens and immune tolerance. This review consolidates the understanding of TLR5's structural and signaling mechanisms and its interactions with flagellin, shedding light on its dual role in immune responses and its promise as a therapeutic target. It highlights TLR5's intricate role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension, a growing global health concern that correlates with rising obesity rates and is characterized by a complex interplay of immune responses and metabolic dysregulation. Despite the current understanding, the impact of TLR5 on obesity-related hypertension is marked by conflicting findings, indicating a need for further exploration. The review critically analyzes the existing literature, providing novel insights from rodent models and human studies that underscore TLR5's therapeutic potential, setting the stage for transformative research in managing obesity-related hypertension. It calls for deeper investigation into TLR5's multifaceted role, emphasizing its promise as a target for managing obesity-related hypertension and the necessity for future research to clarify its complexities and to innovate treatment strategies.
Keywords: Toll-like receptor 5; hypertension; immune tolerance; intestinal microbiota; obesity.