TLR7 Promotes Smoke-Induced Experimental Lung Damage through the Activity of Mast Cell Tryptase

Investigators showed that the severity of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema and COPD was reduced in toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7 -deficient mice, while inhalation of imiquimod, a TLR7-agonist, induced emphysema without cigarette smoke exposure.