MICROBIAL LIGAND RECOGNITION BY INNATE IMMUNE SENSORS

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 我们依靠我们的先天免疫系统作为抵御入侵病原体的第一道防线。这种免疫应答严重依赖于Toll样受体（TLR）。每个TLR识别不同的分子模式，这是特定病原体的特征。在配体结合后，TLR将信号传递到细胞核，导致促炎化合物的产生。我们将确定TLR与其配体复合的三维结构。这种结构将为病原体识别和促炎信号产生的分子基础提供重要的见解。为了测试我们对TLR功能的基于结构的假设，我们将测量从结构预测的干扰配体结合或信号产生的工程突变对免疫信号传导的影响。我们提出了一种策略，以寻求高亲和力的TLR配体，或激动剂。我们的工作将揭示病原体识别如何转化为免疫反应信号的分子基础。我们的结构将指导设计合成TLR激动剂的工作，这些激动剂可以作为新型疫苗佐剂或免疫调节治疗剂。这种疗法将为预防和治疗传染病提供一种强有力的新手段。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. We rely on our innate immune system as the first line of defense response against invading pathogens. This immune response is critically dependent on the Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Each TLR recognizes a different molecular pattern that is characteristic of specific pathogens. Upon ligand binding, TLRs transmit a signal to the nucleus that leads to the production of proinflammatory compounds. We will determine three-dimensional structures of a TLR in complex with its ligand. This structure will provide critical insight into the molecular basis of pathogen recognition and proinflammatory signal generation. To test our structure-based hypotheses on TLR function, we will measure the effect on immune signaling of engineered mutations that are predicted from the structures to interfere with ligand binding or signal generation. We propose a strategy to seek high-affinity TLR ligands, or agonists. Our work will reveal the molecular basis for how pathogen recognition is translated into an immune response signal. Our structure will guide efforts to design synthetic TLR agonists, which could serve as novel vaccine adjuvants, or as immunomodulatory therapeutics. Such therapeutics would provide a powerful new means to prevent and treat infectious diseases.