NOD-like Receptor (NLR)

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are a family of intracellular proteins that play crucial roles in innate immunity and inflammation by detecting pathogenic microbes and stress signals within cells. These receptors are part of the larger pattern recognition receptor (PRR) system, which is essential for the immune response. NLRs activate inflammatory responses and trigger the assembly of inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes critical for activating inflammatory processes and apoptosis. Key members include NOD1 and NOD2, which detect bacterial motifs, and NLRP3, involved in inflammasome formation. Dysregulation of NLRs is associated with autoinflammatory diseases, infections, and chronic inflammatory conditions, positioning them as important targets in developing treatments for these disorders.