The essential adaptors of innate immune signaling

Abstract

Microbial components and the endogenous molecules released from damaged cells can stimulate germline- encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to transduce signals to the hub of the innate immune signaling network-the adaptor proteins MyD88/TRIF/ MAVS/STING/Caspase-1, where integrated signals relay to the relevant transcription factors IRF3/IRF7/NF-κB/ AP-1 and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) to trigger the expression of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines or the assembly of inflammasomes. Most pleiotropic cytokines are secreted and bind to specific receptors, activating the signaling pathways including JAK-STAT for the proliferation, differentiation and functional capacity of immune cells. This review focuses on several critical adaptors in innate immune signaling cascades and recent progress in their molecular mechanisms.

Keywords

innate immunity / adaptor / STING / STAT6