Presymptomatic differences in Toll-like receptor function in infants who have allergy.

Background: Microbial exposure might play a key role in allergy development, but little is known about the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs).

Objective: This study explored the association between neonatal TLR microbial recognition/function, allergy risk (maternal allergy), and prospective allergy development.

Methods: Cord blood mononuclear cells (n = 111) were cultured either alone or with optimal concentrations of TLR ligands: lipoteichoic acid (TLR2), polyinosinicpolycytidylic acid (TLR3), LPS with IFN-gamma (TLR4), flagellin (TLR5), imiquimod R837 (TLR7), or CpG (TLR9).