Pattern Recognition Receptors in Autoinflammation

The immune system is essential for maintenance of tissue homeostasis. This task requires that immune cells detect and respond to dyshomeostatic states (when homeostasis has broken down) that can occur during invasion of the host with pathogenic microbes, after sterile trauma of tissues or during metabolic derangements. Research in the field of innate immunity has uncovered many molecular mechanisms by which the immune system can prevent the spread of infection, restore damaged tissues and respond to altered metabolism. These pathways involve different classes of pattern recognition receptors, some of which can directly detect minimal motifs (patterns) that are common to multiple pathogens or types of damaged cells. Here, we summarize the general concepts that have been developed to explain how immune recognition of dyshomeostasis is achieved and discuss our current knowledge of the innate immune signaling receptors that are known to directly bind ligands.