Toll-like receptor 7 （TLR7）,a type Ⅰ transmembrane protein receptor expressed in mammalian cells,has the same structure characters and similar functions as other members of TLR family.In addition to regulating some immune responses induced by virus through the MyD88-dependent signaling pathway,TLR7 can adjust the autophagy of macrophages to mediate the progress of atherosclerosis.Furthermore,it is probably to not only induce the type Ⅰ interferon expression,but also act as autoantigens to activate cellular and humoral immune response mediated by T cells and B cells by all kinds of ligand and endogenous molecules,thus participate in regulating the development of atherosclerosis.Therefore,it is critical that more attention is given to the function and mechanism research of TLR7 in atherosclerosis,which will be a new starting point for the prevention and control of atherosclerosis.