Generally, ECs primarily recognizes PAMPs and DAMPs via activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which aid their survival in response to infection by bacteria (TLR2 and TLR4), viruses (TLR3, TLR7 and TLR8), and even fungi (TLR2) and parasites, including Schistosoma spp (TLR4) (13, 14). The gene discussed is TLR4; the disease is infection.