Immune receptor
An immune receptor is a receptor, usually on a cell membrane, which binds to a ligand and causes a response in the immune system.
Types
The main receptors in the immune system are pattern recognition receptors, Toll-like receptors, killer activated and killer inhibitor receptors, complement receptors, Fc receptors, B cell receptors and T cell receptors.| Receptor | Bind to | Function |
| Pattern recognition receptors | Pathogen-associated molecular patterns | Mediate cytokine production → inflammation → destroying pathogen |
| Killer activated and killer inhibitor receptors | Avails NK cells to identify abnormal host cells or inhibit inappropriate host cell destruction | |
| Complement receptors | Complement proteins on e.g. microbes | Allow phagocytic and B cells to recognize microbes and immune complexes |
| Fc receptors | Epitope-antibody complexes | Stimulate phagocytosis |
| B cell receptors | Epitopes | B cell differentiation into plasma cells and proliferation |
| T cell receptors | Linear epitopes bound to MHC | Activate T cells |
| Cytokine receptors | Cytokines | Regulation and co-ordination of immune responses |