The dual role of lipoteichoic acid: from immune modulation to therapeutic applications in disease treatment.

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a major component of the cell wall in Gram-positive bacteria, and recent studies have revealed its complex dual role in various physiological and pathological environments. Traditionally, LTA has garnered widespread attention due to its potent pro-inflammatory properties, particularly in activating the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), leading to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, recent research has demonstrated that LTA not only exacerbates inflammatory responses in diseases like sepsis and endocarditis, but also exhibits potential beneficial effects in areas such as immunoregulation, gut health, osteoporosis, and cancer therapy. LTA modulates excessive inflammatory responses through various mechanisms and has shown therapeutic potential in promoting tissue repair, regulating gut microbiota, and improving bone density. This review highlights the latest research on the role of LTA in inflammation regulation, immune responses, and the treatment of various diseases, and explores its broad application prospects as a therapeutic target.