Schematic representation of an immune receptor

An immune receptor (or immunologic receptor) is a receptor, usually on a cell membrane, which binds to a ligand (usually another protein, such as cytokine) and causes a response in the immune system.

Types

The main receptors in the immune system are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), killer activated and killer inhibitor receptors (KARs and KIRs), complement receptors, Fc receptors, B cell receptors and T cell receptors.

Comparison of different receptor targets and associated functions
ReceptorBind toFunction
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) (e.g. TLRs, NLRs)Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP)Mediate cytokine production → inflammation → destroying pathogen
Killer activated and killer inhibitor receptors (KARs and KIRs)Avails NK cells to identify abnormal host cells (KAR) or inhibit inappropriate host cell destruction (KIR)
Complement receptorsComplement proteins on e.g. microbesAllow phagocytic and B cells to recognize microbes and immune complexes
Fc receptorsEpitope-antibody complexesStimulate phagocytosis
B cell receptorsEpitopesB cell differentiation into plasma cells and proliferation
T cell receptorsLinear epitopes bound to MHCActivate T cells
Cytokine receptorsCytokinesRegulation and co-ordination of immune responses

See also

External links