Toll-like receptors, alcohol and stress-induced changes in neurobiology

Ethanol increases expression of innate immune genes that contribute to the development of alcoholic pathology. Innate immune genes induced by binge drinking include HMGB1, multiple Toll-like receptors(TLR), RAGE, multiple cytokines, and chemokines that are increased in blood, liver and brain. Ethanol induction of TLR and neuroimmune genes involves ethanol-induced release of HMGB1 that stimulates and induces TLR-increasing NFkB-DNA binding and transcription of CCL2, TNFalpha, RAGE and other target genes.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research