Immune Recognition in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Bronchial Asthma

Respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world population. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to recognition of infectious pathogens and harmful endogenous signals by the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system has improved significantly in recent decades. There is increased evidence of the key role of the immune system with its pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in infectious and non-infectious lung diseases. The PRRs are a family of sensors able to sense different microbial molecules as well as endogenous molecules which are released by the host tissue damage. The commitment of PRRs is a prerequisite for the initiation of immune and inflammatory response to infection and tissue injury that may beneficial or harmful. The PRRs are germline encoded, evolutionarily conserved molecules and consist of Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, RIG-I-like receptors, C-type lectin-like receptors and cytosolic DNA sensors. This chapter summarizes the prominent role of transmembrane and cytosolic PRRs in the pathogenesis of obstructive lung diseases (COPD and bronchial asthma). The PRRs and their signals represent promising targets for prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in various lung diseases.