Pattern recognition receptor

A receptor that detects conserved molecular patterns associated with microbes or cellular damage. Its activation helps initiate innate immune responses.

Toll-like receptor: A family of cell-surface and endosomal receptors that detects microbial molecules and activates innate immune signaling. These receptors are prominent pattern sensors that signal through pathways such as MyD88 and TRIF.
Pathogen-associated molecular pattern: A conserved microbial molecular feature recognized by innate immune receptors. These microbial features are the ligands that many pattern-recognition receptors detect.
Adjuvant: A substance that enhances an immune response to an antigen, often by stimulating innate immune pathways. Many adjuvants work by activating pattern-recognition receptors or their downstream pathways.
Antigen receptor: A B-cell or T-cell receptor that recognizes specific antigens through highly variable binding regions. Unlike pattern sensors, antigen receptors are highly diverse and underpin adaptive immune specificity.
Toll-like receptor 4: A pattern-recognition receptor that detects bacterial lipopolysaccharide with help from accessory proteins. Its multi-component recognition system raises questions about how receptors distinguish ligands and control signaling.
NOD-like receptor: A family of intracellular receptors that detects microbial products and cellular stress. These cytosolic sensors detect patterns that enter or arise within cells.
Damage-associated molecular pattern: An endogenous molecule or structure released or exposed by injured or stressed cells that can trigger innate immunity. These signals let pattern-recognition receptors detect sterile tissue injury as well as infection.
Monophosphoryl lipid A: A detoxified lipopolysaccharide derivative used as a vaccine adjuvant that activates TLR4. It illustrates how a defined receptor ligand can enhance vaccine responses with reduced toxicity.
B-cell receptor: A membrane-bound immunoglobulin complex that recognizes a specific antigen and activates B cells. It contrasts innate pattern detection with antigen-specific recognition by B cells.
cGAS–STING pathway: A cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway in which cGAS produces a messenger that activates the STING protein. Its role in infection, cancer, and autoimmunity illustrates the challenge of distinguishing foreign DNA from self-DNA.

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