These data are in alignment with our observations of elevated TLR4 mRNA expression levels in circulating human blood cells after CS/CPB and suggest a critical pro-inflammatory role for TLR4 in contact activation of leucocytes via the extracorporeal membrane and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, in addition to its role in innate immune response. The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is myocardial ischemia.