Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), expressed on cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, serve as sentinels, waiting to alert the host to the first signs of microbial infection and to activate the initial line of immune defense. Research has increasingly demonstrated that many of the same PRRs also recognize self-epitopes that either are released from dying or damaged cells or are present at the surface of apoptotic cells or apoptotic bodies. In this context, PRRs play a critical role in tissue repair and the clearance of cellular debris. However, failure to appropriately regulate self-responses triggered by certain PRRs can have serious pathological consequences. The Toll-like receptor (TLR) gene family represents a case in point. TLR7, 8, and 9 were originally identified as receptors specific for bacterial and viral RNA and DNA, but more recent in vitro and in vivo studies have now linked these receptors to the detection of host RNA, DNA, and RNA- or DNA-associated proteins. In this context, they likely play a key role in the development of systemic autoimmune diseases.

中文翻译：

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具有免疫活性的自身抗原：toll样受体在慢性炎症性疾病发展中的作用。

在先天性和适应性免疫系统的细胞上表达的模式识别受体（PRR）充当哨兵，等待警告宿主微生物感染的最初迹象并激活免疫防御的初始路线。越来越多的研究表明，许多相同的PRR也识别自垂死或受损细胞释放的自我表位，或存在于凋亡细胞或凋亡小体表面的自身表位。在这种情况下，PRR在组织修复和清除细胞碎片中起关键作用。但是，未能适当调节某些PRR触发的自我反应可能会导致严重的病理后果。Toll样受体（TLR）基因家族就是一个典型的例子。TLR7、8和9最初被鉴定为对细菌和病毒RNA和DNA具有特异性的受体，但是最近的体外和体内研究已经将这些受体与宿主RNA，DNA以及与RNA或DNA相关的蛋白质的检测联系起来。在这种情况下，它们可能在系统性自身免疫疾病的发展中起关键作用。