Innate immune system pathway

“Innate immune system pathway” is not a single molecule or receptor but an umbrella term covering multiple cellular and molecular processes that provide rapid, non-specific defense and prime adaptive immunity. Core components include physical barriers; soluble mediators like complement; cellular effectors such as neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells; pattern-recognition receptors (e.g., Toll-like receptors, RIG-I–like receptors, cGAS–STING, NOD-like receptors and inflammasomes); and downstream transcriptional programs (e.g., NF-κB, IRF3/IRF7) that drive cytokine, chemokine, and type I interferon responses. These pathways recognize pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns, trigger inflammation, recruit immune cells, promote phagocytosis and microbial killing, and initiate antigen presentation to T and B cells. Dysregulation contributes to infections, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and has context-dependent roles in cancer biology and therapy.

Other names

Innate immunityInnate immune responseNonspecific immune systemInnate immune pathway(s)

Not applicable to a single target; mechanisms vary by component, such as TLR agonism/antagonism, STING agonism, interferon receptor agonism, or complement inhibition in specific pathways.