Alcohol abuse is characterized by induction of peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation, which hallmark is the activation of innate immunity toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4).
In summary, we provide evidence for a mechanism by which ethanol triggers TLR4/TLR2 association contributing to the neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration associated with alcohol abuse.
In 96 patients with ALD polymorphism of TLR-4 and CD14 genes were studied compared with 104 patients with cirrhosis of other etiology, 100 healthy subjects, and 50 patients with a history of alcohol abuse but without liver disease.