Role of toll-like receptor-4 in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Toll-like receptor-4 has been implicated in modulating ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiac, hepatic, renal, and cerebral models. However, its role in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury is unknown. We hypothesize that toll-like receptor-4 has a key role in initiating the inflammatory cascade in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.