Abstract
The last 10 years have witnessed the identification of a new class of intracellular pattern-recognition molecules--the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing family (NLR). Members of this family garnered interest as pattern-recognition receptors able to trigger inflammatory responses against pathogens. Many studies support a pathogen-recognition function for human NLR proteins and shed light on their role in the broader control of adaptive immunity and various disease states. Other evidence suggests that NLRs function in processes unrelated to pathogen detection. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the biology of the human NLR proteins and their non-pathogen-recognition function in tissue homeostasis, apoptosis, graft-versus-host disease and early development.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / immunology*
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Animals
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Apoptosis / genetics
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Apoptosis / immunology
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
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Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
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Carrier Proteins / genetics
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Carrier Proteins / immunology*
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Embryonic Development / immunology
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Genetic Predisposition to Disease
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Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
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Humans
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Lymphocyte Activation
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NF-kappa B / metabolism
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
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Ovulation / immunology
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Polymorphism, Genetic
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Signal Transduction / immunology
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Th1 Cells / immunology*
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Transcriptional Activation / immunology
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Transplantation Immunology
Substances
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
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Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
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Carrier Proteins
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NF-kappa B
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NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
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NLRP2 protein, human
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NLRP3 protein, human
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NLRP7 protein, human