TLR7, or Toll-like receptor 7, is a protein that plays a crucial role in the innate immune system. It is a member of the Toll-like receptor family, which are pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). TLR7 is primarily expressed in immune cells such as plasmacytoid dendritic cells and macrophages, and it specifically recognizes single-stranded RNA from viruses, helping to initiate an immune response against viral infections. Activation of TLR7 leads to the production of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are vital for antiviral defense. Additionally, TLR7 has been implicated in autoimmune diseases due to its potential to recognize self-RNAs under certain conditions, and it is also a target for research in the development of antiviral therapies and immune modulators.
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