MD2-Toll-like Receptor 4 Complex (MD2-TLR4 Complex)

The MD2-Toll-like Receptor 4 (MD2-TLR4) complex is a cell surface receptor essential for innate immune recognition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It plays a pivotal role in the host's defense against Gram-negative bacteria, initiating inflammatory responses upon LPS binding. The complex consists of MD-2, a secreted protein, and TLR4, a pattern recognition receptor. Activation leads to downstream signaling cascades resulting in activation of NF-kB and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Targeting this complex is of therapeutic interest for modulating inflammatory diseases and sepsis.

Other names

TLR4-MD2 ComplexMD-2/TLR4 ComplexLPS Receptor Complex

Ligand binding to the MD2-TLR4 complex induces dimerization and downstream signaling cascades (MyD88-dependent and TRIF-dependent) leading to NF-kB activation and cytokine production.