Constitutive activation of epithelial TLR4 augments inflammatory responses to mucosal injury and drives colitis-associated tumorigenesis.

Inflamm Bowel Dis 17(7):1464-73 (2011) PMID 21080468

Chronic intestinal inflammation culminates in cancer and a link to Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) has been suggested by our observation that TLR4 deficiency prevents colitis-associated neoplasia. In the current study we address the effect of the aberrant activation of epithelial TLR4 on induction of colitis and colitis-associated tumor development. We take a translational approach to address the consequences of increased TLR signaling in the intestinal mucosa.