Pattern recognition receptors and the inflammasome in kidney disease

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptors (NLRs) and the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome regulate inflammatory and repair processes in the kidneysTLRs prevent invasion and growth of pathogens in the urinary tractInappropriate activation of TLRs, NLRs and the NLRP3 inflammasome is a major cause of acute and chronic kidney diseaseGene-association studies have revealed connections between TLR gene mutations and the development of several inflammatory kidney disordersTLRs, NLRs and the NLRP3 inflammasome represent attractive novel drug targets to prevent and intervene in kidney inflammation and suppress immunopathology in kidney disease