Both endosomal and cytosolic-nucleic acid-sensing receptors can detect endogenous ligands and promote autoimmunity and autoinflammation. These responses involve a complex interplay among and between the cytosolic and endosomal sensors involving both hematopoietic and radioresistant cells. Cytosolic sensors directly promote inflammatory responses through the production of type I IFNs and proinflammatory cytokines. Inflammation-associated tissue damage can further promote autoimmune responses indirectly, as receptor-mediated internalization of the resulting cell debris can activate endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLR). Both endosomal and cytosolic receptors can also negatively regulate inflammatory responses. A better understanding of the factors and pathways that promote and constrain autoimmune diseases will have important implications for the development of agonists and antagonists that modulate these pathways.
Keywords: Toll-like receptor; autoantibody; cGAS; systemic lupus erythematosus.
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