Indra Mani and Kavita Vasdev
Uropathogenic microorganisms interact with the intestinal tract mucosa, which activate immune cell responses through the Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs are single, membrane-spanning, non-catalytic proteins and it has significant role in the innate immune system. Recent studies have demonstrated that TLRs expressed in sentinel cells such as dendritic and macrophages cells that recognize structurally conserved molecules derived from microorganisms. Interestingly, the massive infection of the kidney observed in the TLR11 knockout mice, which indicate the hypothesis that TLR11 provides a barrier that prevents uropathogenic bacteria from infecting specifically the post-transplantation kidneys.