Multiple innate immune cell receptors

Multiple innate immune cell receptors is a collective term referring to a diverse array of proteins expressed on the surface or within the cytoplasm of innate immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. These receptors, which include Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), are responsible for detecting pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (Janeway et al., Immunobiology, 2001). They serve as the first line of defense, initiating signaling pathways that lead to the production of cytokines and the maturation of antigen-presenting cells, thereby bridging innate and adaptive immunity (NIH, 2023). In oncology, drugs like imiquimod and various TLR agonists target these receptors to stimulate an anti-tumor immune response, while checkpoint inhibitors like monalizumab target inhibitory receptors on NK cells to enhance their cytolytic activity (PubMed, PMID: 31043764). Because this term encompasses a wide variety of distinct molecular targets with different structures and functions, it is considered a functional category rather than a single therapeutic target.

Other names

Innate immune receptorsPattern recognition receptorsPRRsInnate immune checkpointsInnate immune sensors

Agonism of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine production and enhance antigen presentation, or blockade of inhibitory receptors to restore innate effector cell function.