Pattern Recognition Receptors

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are proteins found on the surface of all cells that have the ability to recognize a wide range of molecules or “patterns”. This recognition initiates an immune response against the foreign material. PRRs are vital components of the innate immune system, which protects against pathogens and other foreign agents, and play an important role in the regulation of the adaptive immune system. In addition to their role in immunity, PRRs have hundreds of uses in medical research, diagnosis and therapy. For example, they are used to detect cancer, diagnose infectious diseases, and identify and differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, they are also used in vaccine development, drug delivery, and other areas such as neurological and cardiovascular diseases.