[Progress in TcpC research].

TcpC is a homolog of the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain and is secreted by uropathogenic E. coli strain CFT073. TcpC can bind to MyD88, hereby exerting inhibitory effects on macrophages. TcpC represents an important virulence factor that promotes bacterial survival and pathogenicity. TcpC plays a critical role in urinary tract infection, particularly in the pathogenesis of pyelonephritis. In this review,the progress and prospects in TcpC research are discussed.