The R753Q Polymorphism Abrogates Toll-Like Receptor 2 Signaling in Response to Human Cytomegalovirus

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) serves as a pattern recognition receptor that signals the presence of cytomegalovirus. Herein, we report that R753Q polymorphism paralyzes TLR2-mediated immune signaling in cells exposed to cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B. This immunologic impairment could serve as a biologic mechanism underlying the association between the TLR2 R753Q polymorphism and cytomegalovirus disease in humans.