TLR3 belongs to the Toll-like receptor family which is important in the innate immune response to pathogens. TLRs are highly conserved from Drosophila to humans and share structural and functional similarities.The various TLRs exhibit different patterns of expression. It recognizes dsRNA associated with viral infection, and induces the activation of NF-kappaB and the production of type I interferons.It thus plays a role in host defense against multiple viruses.
