This review deals with rapidly accumulating information on a highly important components of the congenital immune system: Toll-like receptors playing a leading role in the recognition of microbial patterns. The data on the main structural and functional features of Toll-like receptors and their distribution in the body are summarized. The main signal paths are characterized and the key molecules which take part in the transduction are pointed out. Special attention is paid to the activating action of lipopolysaccharides through TLR4. Pathological processes developing as the result of damages in the structure and function of Toll-like receptors in humans and experimental animals are determined.