Definition

An imidazoquinolinamine Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist with potential immunostimulatory activity. Resiquimod binds to and activates TLRs 7 and 8, mainly on dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and B-lymphocytes, which results in the activation of the TLR signaling pathway and nuclear translocation of the transcription activator NF-kB another transcription factors; subsequently, the production of cytokines, especially interferon-alpha (INF-a), increases, enhancing T-helper 1 (Th1) immune responses. In addition, topical application of resiquimod appears to activate Langerhans cells, which may result in enhanced activation of T-lymphocytes. Due to its immunostimulatory activity, this agent may potentially be useful as a vaccine adjuvant.