Nod2 Receptor Role in TNF-α Secretion Response to Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Abstract

•Mechanisms of the innate immune response serve as the first line of defense against infection and coordinate the adaptive immune response •Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) are detected by a group of receptors called Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) that respond by upregulating secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as TNF-α and KC (human IL-8) •PRR group members such as Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) and Nod-like Receptors NLRs detect the presence of PAMPs •The receptors relevant to this study are sensitive to different molecules associated with bacterial cell walls •TLR4: Type I transmembrane receptor for Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of gramnegative bacterial cell walls •Nod1: cytosolic detection of meso-Diaminopimelic Acid (meso-DAP) a residue found in the cell walls of most gram negative bacteria •Nod2: cytosolic detection of Muramyl Dipeptide (MDP) a part of the peptidoglycan (PGN) molecule found on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria •Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic gram-negative bacteria that causes severe infections in immunocompromised patients