TLR10

TLR10 is a member of the toll-like receptor (TLR) family of pattern recognition receptors that detect conserved microbial components and trigger innate immune responses. In humans, TLR10 is encoded by the TLR10 gene and is part of the gene cluster on chromosome 4 that includes TLR1 and TLR6.

TLR10 is a type I transmembrane protein with an extracellular domain rich in leucine-rich repeats, a single transmembrane segment, and a cytoplasmic Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Like other surface TLRs, it is thought to signal through the MyD88 adaptor protein to activate downstream pathways such as NF-κB and MAPKs, although the exact signaling outcomes and ligands remain incompletely defined.

Unlike many other TLRs, no consensus microbial ligand has been identified for TLR10, and it has been described as an orphan receptor. Some studies suggest that TLR10 does not primarily promote pro-inflammatory signaling and may act as a modulator that dampens responses under certain conditions, while other data indicate context-dependent agonist activity; overall, its functional role appears to be more nuanced and possibly dosage- or context-dependent.

Expression studies show TLR10 is expressed in several immune cell types, including B cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells, with levels influenced by cytokines and activation state. Evolutionarily, TLR10 is functional in humans and some primates, whereas in mice the corresponding gene is a pseudogene, reflecting species-specific differences in the TLR repertoire.

Genetic variation in TLR10 has been investigated for associations with susceptibility to infectious or inflammatory diseases, but findings have been inconsistent and require further validation.