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Physiological and Pathological Functions of CARD9 Signaling in the Innate Immune System
Larsen Vornholz1,2, Jürgen Ruland3,4,5,6
1TUM School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany.
Insights
Caspase recruitment domain protein 9 (CARD9) is crucial for innate immunity, mediating defense against pathogens and regulating inflammation. CARD9 signaling impacts immune homeostasis, cancer immunity, and is linked to human immune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Signaling
Background:
- Caspase recruitment domain protein 9 (CARD9) is a key adaptor protein in innate immunity.
- CARD9 integrates signals from C-type lectin receptors and intracellular pattern recognition receptors.
- Dysregulation of CARD9 signaling is implicated in various immune-mediated diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of CARD9 signaling pathways.
- To summarize the physiological and pathological roles of CARD9.
- To discuss the implications of CARD9 in human immune-mediated diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of CARD9 signaling.
- Analysis of CARD9's role in host defense mechanisms.
- Examination of CARD9's involvement in inflammatory and immune responses.
Main Results:
- CARD9 signaling is essential for antifungal immunity and contributes to immunity against bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
- CARD9 pathways regulate sterile inflammatory responses and influence anti-tumor immunity.
- Genetic alterations in CARD9 are associated with primary immunodeficiencies and inflammatory disorders.
Conclusions:
- CARD9 is a central regulator of innate immunity with diverse roles in host defense and inflammation.
- Understanding CARD9 signaling is critical for developing therapeutic strategies for immune-mediated diseases.
- Further research into CARD9 pathways can elucidate mechanisms underlying immunodeficiency and inflammatory conditions.
Abstract:
Caspase recruitment domain protein 9 (CARD9) forms essential signaling complexes in the innate immune system that integrate cues from C-type lectin receptors and specific intracellular pattern recognition receptors. These CARD9-mediated signals are pivotal for host defense against fungi, and they mediate immunity against certain bacteria, viruses and parasites. Furthermore, CARD9-regulated pathways are involved in sterile inflammatory responses critical for immune homeostasis and can control pro- and antitumor immunity in cancer microenvironments. Consequently, multiple genetic alterations of human CARD9 are connected to primary immunodeficiencies or prevalent inflammatory disorders in patients. This review will summarize our current understanding of CARD9 signaling in the innate immune system, its physiological and pathological functions and their implications for human immune-mediated diseases.
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