Role integrin receptors in recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and innate immunity

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The innate immunity is an ancient mechanism serving to rapidly detect invading microorganisms and to initiate host defense. The body has a wide array of cellular receptors to recognize "the danger signals", i.e. some molecular structures typical for various microorganisms. Such recognition will signal the body that there is a danger of a damage or disease. I hypothesize that integrins which are present on the surface of epithelial cells in the lungs serve as receptors to recognize potentially harmful structures, for example, products by pathogenic bacteria. Integrins can then initiate signaling mechanisms that will modify cellular functions to ensure the proper response to the invaders. In this project, I plan to investigate molecular mechanisms of integrin function as pattern recognition receptors. I intend to understand how integrins contribute to the innate immune defense of the body, in particular, how they can help to fight some diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. The results of my studies will be important for better understanding of mechanisms of innate immunity which are fundamental in host defense against pathogenic microorganisms.