Innate and adaptive immune receptors

Innate and adaptive immune receptors constitute a vast array of proteins that mediate the body's defense against pathogens and internal threats. Innate receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and C-type lectin receptors, act as the first line of defense by recognizing conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) [1][2]. Adaptive receptors, specifically T-cell receptors (TCRs) and B-cell receptors (BCRs), provide highly specific recognition of diverse antigens through genetic rearrangement [3]. These receptors are central to modern pharmacology; for example, monoclonal antibodies target BCR-related pathways in B-cell malignancies, while checkpoint inhibitors modulate TCR signaling to treat various cancers [4]. Dysregulation of these receptor systems is a primary driver of autoimmune disorders, where the system attacks self-tissues, and chronic inflammatory diseases [5]. Therapeutic strategies often involve either stimulating these receptors to boost immunity against infections and tumors or inhibiting them to dampen pathological inflammation [6].

Other names

Immune receptorsPattern recognition receptors and antigen receptorsPRRsTCR and BCR complexes

Drugs targeting these receptors typically act as agonists to stimulate immune activity (e.g., TLR agonists as adjuvants) or as antagonists/inhibitors to suppress overactive immune responses or bypass immune evasion (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors) [4][6].