Image-recognizing receptors of the innate immunity and their role in immunotherapy (review)

Abstract

This article summarizes currently available information about the variety of image-recognizing receptors and their role in regulation of the immune system. Pathogen recognition by the innate immunity is mediated by receptors to a wide range of antigens via recognition of several highly conservative structures of microorganisms. These structures were named pathogenassociated images or PAMP (pathogen-associated molecular pattern). The best studied types of such structures include lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria, lipoteichoic acids, peptidoglycan (PGN), and CpG DNA and RNA motifs. PAMP-recognizing receptors (PRRS) are a group of receptors, which also recognize molecules released during damage of host tissues. Such molecular structures are called DAMPS (damage-associated molecular patterns) or damage-associated images. Heat shock proteins, chromatin, and DNA fragments may act as DAMPS. Depending on the localization, image-recognizing
receptors are generally classified as membrane-located Toll-like receptors (TLR) and C-type lectin receptors (CLR), as well as cytoplasmic NOD-like receptors (NLR) and cytoplasmic RNA and DNA sensors. Today, 10 types of human TLR are known. Some of them are located on the surface (TLR1-TLR6, TLR10) of most cells, including macrophages, B-cells, and dendritic cells, and some are present in endosomes (TLR3, TLR7-TLR9). CLR is a family of membrane receptors that have carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD) or structurally similar lectin-like type C domains (CTLD). Seventeen groups are distinguished within this receptor family based on their origin and structure. CLRs are actively involved in antifungal immune defense and also play a role in protection against other types of microorganisms. NOD (nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain)-like receptors are present in the cytoplasm. These receptors provide the second level of recognition inside the cell for the pathogens that have escaped recognition on the membrane surface. This article discusses activation pathways of image-recognizing receptors, their effects, and the use of such effects in medicine.