A tripartite sensing apparatus, comprising Toll-like receptors, retinoid acid-inducible gene-I-like receptors and other cytosolic nucleic acid sensors, and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors, has evolved to bring about an immediate but short-lived defense response to microbial pathogens and their products. The main components of these three systems and their function in detecting cellular danger are outlined in this article.
- Roberto Baccala
- Rosana Gonzalez-Quintial
- Argyrios N. Theofilopoulos
