ArticleNature immunology2021
TLR2 senses the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein to produce inflammatory cytokines.
Article in Nature immunology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 402 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
402 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Toll-like receptors polymorphisms and COVID-19: a systematic review.Molecular and cellular biochemistry · 2025Pooled it
- Mucosal immune response in biology, disease prevention and treatment.Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 2025Pooled it
- Myeloid TLR2 signaling amplifies immunopathology in influenza-infected murine neonates.American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology · 2026Article
- TLR/NF-κB activation in vitro as a tool in the assessment of occupational bioaerosol exposure and health risks in wastewater treatment plants.Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology · 2026Article
- SARS-CoV-2 E protein induces rapid TLR2-mediated T cell activation in mouse lungs revealed by intravital lung microscopy.The European respiratory journal · 2026Article
- Immune-mediated platelet refractoriness: Mechanisms, diagnostics, and therapeutic breakthroughs.Transfusion medicine (Oxford, England) · 2026Review
- Cleavage of TOM1 by the SARS-CoV-2 main protease NSP5 prevents autophagic degradation of viral envelope.Journal of virology · 2026Article
- Sex-Specific Association of Toll-like Receptor 8 Polymorphisms with COVID-19 Case Status in a Korean Population.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Spike 1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 induces endothelial inflammation and vascular dysfunction through interferon ISG15-dependent mechanisms.Cardiovascular research · 2026Article
- Coronavirus M Protein Hijacks Toll-Interacting Protein (TOLLIP) to Suppress NF-κB Signaling and Promote Immune Evasion.MedComm · 2026Article
- Alterations in the Placenta Following Vaccination and Infection with SARS-CoV-2 During Pregnancy.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- ASFV pA137R protein triggers inflammatory response by inducing NF-κB signaling pathway and facilitating NLRP3 inflammasome assembly.Virologica Sinica · 2026Article
- Mast cells release DNA Extracellular Traps (DETs) in response to SARS-CoV-2 and its spike protein.Cell communication and signaling : CCS · 2026Article
- Article
- Modulation of Host Innate Immune Response by Highly Pathogenic Human Coronaviruses during Viral Infection.Journal of microbiology and biotechnology · 2026Review
- Microglial MARCO facilitates Varicella zoster virus uptake and triggers TLR2-mediated neuroinflammation.Journal of biomedical science · 2026Article
- Identification of host lncRNAs that impact Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus TC-83 replication.Journal of virology · 2026Article
- The adult nasal mucosa is defined by distinct immune profiles that modulate in-vitro SARS-CoV-2 infection.Respiratory research · 2026Article
- Advances in understanding the dual roles of testicular immune responses: From immune privilege to inflammation.Seminars in immunopathology · 2026Review
- Pentameric Architecture of the SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Protein Revealed by SEC-MALS, Cryo-EM, and Molecular Dynamics.The journal of physical chemistry. B · 2026Article
342 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
The innate immune response is critical for recognizing and controlling infections through the release of cytokines and chemokines. However, severe pathology during some infections, including SARS-CoV-2, is driven by hyperactive cytokine release, or a cytokine storm. The innate sensors that activate production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines during COVID-19 remain poorly characterized. In the present study, we show that both TLR2 and MYD88 expression were associated with COVID-19 disease severity. Mechanistically, TLR2 and Myd88 were required for β-coronavirus-induced inflammatory responses, and TLR2-dependent signaling induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines during coronavirus infection independent of viral entry. TLR2 sensed the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein as its ligand. In addition, blocking TLR2 signaling in vivo provided protection against the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, our study provides a critical understanding of the molecular mechanism of β-coronavirus sensing and inflammatory cytokine production, which opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies to counteract the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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