ABSTRACT
The innate immune response of vertebrates is triggered if a pathogen breaches the physical barriers of the host. It provides a rapid but nonspecifi c response and is the fi rst line of defense. The functions of innate immunity are based on a variety of germline-encoded receptors, the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) [1]. PRRs are proteins expressed by cells of the innate immune system that recognize conserved molecules associated with microbial pathogens. These conserved microbial structures are known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The recognition of PAMPs enables the immune system to distinguish foreign organisms from cells of the host and initiates a rapid infl ammatory response.
