Inhibition of cell proliferation by bacterial lipopolysaccharides in TLR4-positive epithelial cells: independence of nitric oxide and cytokine release.

Phylogenetically conserved toll-like receptors (TLR) recognize "pathogen-associated molecular patterns". Upon binding of ligands, TLR initiate innate immune response in immune and most likely epithelial cells. The TLR4 isoform is considered as a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor.