NOD‐like receptors (NLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), able to respond to conserved microbial structures and endogenous danger signals. NLRs modulate the inflammatory response via multiple pathways including NFκB (nuclear factor kappa‐light chain‐enhancer of activated B cells)‐activation, MAPKs, ERK and inflammasome formation, which results in IL‐1β release. They act in synergy with other PRRs, bridging innate to adaptive immunity. Moreover, some NLRs directly modulate adaptive immunity via transcriptional regulation of MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I and class II. Their essential role in orchestrating inflammatory responses is seen via their association with morbidity. NLR dysfunction can result in cancer and autoinflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, pointing out their important role in maintaining gut homeostasis.
Key Concepts
NLRs are an intracellular subclass of PRRs that recognise microbe‐associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and danger‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).
NLRs are found in different animal species and have homologues in plants.
NLRs share a common tripartite structure, typically consisting of an
N
‐terminal domain from the death‐fold family, a central NACHT domain and a variable number of
C
‐terminal LRRs.
Activation of NLRs primes innate and adaptive immunity and drives the expression of MHC class I and class II genes.
Some NLRs form inflammasomes, multiprotein platforms for caspase‐1 activation and IL‐1β release.
NLRs maintain gut homeostasis, differentiating between commensals and pathogens.
Mutations in NLRs can lead to severe autoinflammatory diseases, cancer, dysregulation of gut homeostasis and innate immune responses.
Evidence suggests that some NLRs are further implicated in development.
The function of some of the 22 human NLR proteins remains elusive.