Chitin-binding pattern recognition receptor (null)

Chitin-binding pattern recognition receptors are innate immune receptors capable of binding chitin—a major structural polysaccharide found in fungal cell walls and some parasites. Key mammalian receptors include LYSMD3, which is expressed on human airway epithelial cells and binds both chitin and fungal spores, triggering pro-inflammatory cytokine production. FIBCD1 is another receptor, highly expressed in gut epithelium, binding chitin with calcium-dependence. In plants, LysM domain-containing PRRs such as CERK1, CEBiP, LYK4/5, and others promote recognition of chitin and initiate immune signaling. Recognition of chitin by these receptors is critical for defense against infection, but can contribute to allergic disorders like asthma when dysregulated. These receptors are characterized by carbohydrate-binding modules (notably LysM domains) and their function branches into broader PRR families also involved in sensing damage and infectious agents.

Other names

Chitin PRRLysM domain-containing receptorLysM receptorChitin receptorFIBCD1LYSMD3

Ligand-binding inhibition (blocking chitin-PRR interaction), receptor antagonism (antibodies or decoy proteins prevent signaling), interference with downstream signaling pathways (inflammation/cytokine production)