Inflammablog4: TLRs

07 February 2011

TLRs

Before I forget, I did not get a chance to mention in class today that I thought it was interesting that TLRs can recognize and differentiate specific types of lipids. We know that TLRs recognize the LPSs found on bacterial membranes, but it is interesting that TLRs can scout out similar fatty acids from adipose tissue (secretion of fatty acids in droplet form?). AND they can differentiate between saturated and unsaturated fats. AND they can elicit different immune responses upon independent recognition.

This innate response/reaction from TLRs seems (to me) to be what could be happening when lean mice become overweight after they are exposed directly (dermatological/topical) to the waste products of obese rats.

Thoughts before bed....I am proud to say I am a nerd.
Jennifer

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Inflammablog4 is the fourth Blog made specially to be shared by two courses at two schools: PSIO 495 at University of Arizona in Tucson, and IMMU 7630 at University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. PSIO is a colloquium on inflammation and IMMU is a lecture course on immunology for graduate students. You can visit the Original Inflammablog, Inflammablog2, and Inflammablog3.

Inflammablog4 is the place to post short reviews about selected subjects in immunology, inflammation, and infection, and have them commented on (and possibly even improved) by classmates and colleagues. It is managed by John Cohen in Denver, and Zoë Cohen in Tucson. We urge students in either course to comment on the postings by their classmates and by the students in the other course.

We particularly want this to be a place to practice clear, friendly communication to people who have a background in science, but are not experts in this particular area. Sort of the Café Scientifique crowd. The post "Mumps: Gone? Uh uh" is a sample of what we'd like to see.