Domestic researchers have discovered how human immune receptors combine with the toxins in bacteria to cause septicemia, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of the disease.

A research team led by Lee Ji-oh at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said Monday that it has discovered the molecular structure of a complex in which a representative immune receptor protein called 'TLRL4-MD-2' combines with the toxins on the surface of bacteria.

The findings are expected to contribute to the development of more effective cures for blood poisoning.

The research results were published in the online edition of the science magazine ‘Nature.’