Pathogen-associated molecular pattern

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are small molecular motifs conserved within a class of microbes, but not present in the host. They are recognized by <a href="/facts/Toll-like_receptor/hj4qIWP8">toll-like receptors</a> (TLRs) and other <a href="/facts/Pattern_recognition_receptor/ItopNrK0">pattern recognition receptors</a> (PRRs) in both plants and animals. This allows the innate immune system to recognize pathogens and thus, protect the host from infection.: 494 
This initiation of the immune response consists of the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. PAMPs can initiate the maturation of immune cells, which can travel to the primary lymph node and trigger the adaptive immune system that involves the production of antibodies against specific antigens.
Although the term "PAMP" is relatively new, the concept that molecules derived from microbes must be detected by receptors from multicellular organisms has been held for many decades, and references to an "endotoxin receptor" are found in much of the older literature. The recognition of PAMPs by the PRRs triggers activation of several signaling cascades in the host immune cells like the stimulation of <a href="/facts/Interferon/63XfwpEh">interferons</a> (IFNs) or other cytokines.

Pathogen-associated molecular pattern open-in-new

Pathogen-associated molecular pattern