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Complexity of danger: the diverse nature of damage-associated molecular patterns

Liliana Schaefer1

  • 1From the Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/Zentrum für Arzneimittelforschung, Entwicklung und -Sicherheit (ZAFES), Institut für Allgemeine Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Schaefer@med.uni-frankfurt.de.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|November 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) trigger inflammatory responses to danger signals. This review evaluates DAMPs' diverse nature, structures, and signaling pathways in inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Inflammation is a key response to internal or external danger stimuli.
  • Endogenous triggers known as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) initiate this process.
  • DAMPs are a diverse group of molecules originating from intracellular or extracellular compartments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the diverse nature of DAMPs.
  • To analyze the structural characteristics of DAMPs.
  • To review the signaling pathways elicited by DAMPs in inflammatory responses.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of DAMPs.
  • Analysis of DAMPs' origins and molecular interactions.
  • Evaluation of DAMPs' role in septic and aseptic inflammation.

Main Results:

  • DAMPs are heterogeneous molecules crucial for initiating inflammation.
  • DAMPs interact with pattern recognition and non-immune receptors.
  • These interactions dictate downstream signaling in inflammatory conditions.

Conclusions:

  • DAMPs are central endogenous mediators of inflammatory responses.
  • Understanding DAMPs' structure and signaling is vital for inflammatory disease research.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview of DAMPs' multifaceted roles.
Keywords:
ATPAutophagyBiglycanDecorinHeat Shock Protein (HSP)Heparan SulfateHyaluronanInflammasomeNecrosis (Necrotic Death)Small Leucine-rich Proteoglycan (SLRP)Toll-like Receptor (TLR)

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