Pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/DAMPs)

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are diverse classes of molecules that serve as the primary triggers for the innate immune system (Janeway & Medzhitov, 2002). PAMPs are exogenous, highly conserved molecular structures produced by microorganisms—such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), flagellin, and viral RNA—that are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) like Toll-like receptors (TLRs) (Kono & Rock, 2008). DAMPs, or alarmins, are endogenous molecules released from damaged, stressed, or necrotic host cells, including HMGB1, ATP, and heat shock proteins, which signal 'sterile' tissue damage (Matzinger, 1994). While these molecules are not individual therapeutic targets in the classical sense, they are central to the pathogenesis of sepsis, autoimmune disorders, and cancer (Roh & Sohn, 2018). Therapeutic interventions often utilize synthetic PAMPs as vaccine adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity or employ neutralizing agents against specific DAMPs to mitigate excessive inflammation in chronic diseases (Venereau et al., 2015).

Other names

Pattern-associated molecular patternsDamage-associated molecular patternsMicrobial-associated molecular patternsMAMPsAlarminsDanger-associated molecular patternsMicrobial antigens

Agonism of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to stimulate innate and adaptive immunity, or neutralization of specific patterns to inhibit pathological inflammation.