Toll-like receptor activity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to chronic inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. Considerable evidence suggests that innate immune defense mechanisms might interact with proinflammatory pathways and contribute to atherogenesis. We hypothesized that the classical pathogen recognition receptors of the innate immune response, Toll-like receptors, are involved in modulating the inflammatory response in OSA.