Pattern-recognition receptors are: encoded by the genome; expressed by all cells of a particular type (as opposed to clonal expansion); immediately responsive once bound to their ligand; and optimized for a broad range of pathogens. The two tables below chronicle the four steps in which pattern-recognition receptors operate, and the different types of pattern-recognition receptors.
Receptor | Overview |
Mannose Receptor | Mannose receptor has a lectin which binds terminal mannose and fucose residues of glycoproteins and glycolipids, typically found on microbial cell walls. |
Scavenger Receptor | Scavenger receptor binds microbes and oxidized or acetylated low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). |
Macrophage Integrin | Macrophage integrin is crucial for ahesion and other functions. Mannose receptors, scavenger receptors and macrophage integrins all directly bind microbes. |
Opsonin Receptors | An opsonin is any molecule which triggers phagocytosis. Opsonin receptors bind to opsonin, triggering phagocytosis and activating the phagocyte. |
Toll-Like Receptor | First identified in drosophila, binding of a Toll-Like Receptor (TLRs) to its ligand can activate the cell bearing the ligand. This activations leads to production of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules. TLRs are expressed on many different types of cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, mucosal epithelial cells and endothelial cells. There are ten known TLRs in mammals, among which are:TLR | Ligand | TLR2 | Certain bacterial lipoproteins; lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan on Gram-positive bacteria; zymosan from yeast. | TLR3 | Double-stranded RNA, which is unique to viruses. | TLR4 | LPS (component of Gram-negative bacterial membrane); mitochondrial Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60); viral proteins. | TLR5 | Flagellin, a protein component of bacterial flagella. | TLR6 | Various bacterial lipoproteins and glycolipids. | TLR9 | Unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (found in bacteria). |
|
α-Helical Receptors | α-Helical Receptors (aka G Protein-Coupled Receptors) stimulate leukocyte migration from blood, through endothelium and to the site of infection. Also, α-helical receptors activate the respiratory burst, which produces biocidal substances. α-helical receptors recognize: peptides with N-formylmethionyl residues; chemokines; C5a; molecules involved inflammation, including platelet-activating factor, prostaglandin E and leukotriene B4. |
Cytokine Receptors | Cytokine receptors, including IFNγ-specific Class II Cytokine Receptors, which are the primary activators of macrophages to phagocytose and secrete cytokines. |