It has been well documented that acupuncture effect is produced through suitable manipulation stimulation of the inserted acupuncture needle

and subsequent activation of the body's inherent nerve-endocrine-immune regulating network.As a physical stimulus

the acupuncture stimulation exerted onto the local acupoint needs being converted into biological signal first

further reaching favorable regulation in the body.Toll-like receptor 4(TLR 4)

an important molecular pattern recognition receptor

can not only recognize the exogenous pathogen-associated molecular patterns but also identify endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns

leading to activation of innate immunity.What's more

TLR 4has a close relationship with nervous and immune system of the body.In the present paper

the authors make a discussion on the correlation between TLR 4and acupuncture intervention from 1)TLR 4and acupuncture signal conversion

2)TLR 4and acupuncture clinical phenomenon

and 3)TLR 4and related mechanisms of acupuncture intervention.Moreover

the authors also think that TLR 4in the acupoint area may participate in the initiation process of acupuncture stimulation information.