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Sensing necrotic cells

Yasunobu Miyake1, Sho Yamasaki

  • 1Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Multicellular organisms detect danger signals using pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These signals activate immune responses through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), crucial for survival.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Multicellular organisms detect danger signals, classically defined as exogenous pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) from microbes.
  • PAMPs interact with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on immune cells, initiating immune responses.
  • Endogenous molecules released from damaged cells, termed damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), also activate immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review danger signals originating from necrotic cells.
  • To discuss the recognition receptors for these endogenous danger signals.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of endogenous danger signals and their receptors.
  • Focus on damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) like HMGB1, uric acid, HSPs, and nucleotides.
  • Examination of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and downstream signaling pathways (e.g., NF-kB).

Main Results:

  • DAMPs, including HMGB1, uric acid, HSPs, and nucleotides, are released from necrotic cells.
  • DAMPs are recognized by specific danger receptors on antigen-presenting cells.
  • DAMP recognition induces cell maturation and inflammatory cytokine production via pathways like NF-kB.

Conclusions:

  • Both exogenous PAMPs and endogenous DAMPs function as danger signals.
  • DAMPs play a critical role in activating immune responses against cellular damage.
  • Understanding DAMPs and their receptors is key to comprehending immune system activation.

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