title: Neurokinin-1 receptor: functional significance in the immune system in reference to selected infections and inflammation.
abstract: The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), and its preferred ligand, substance P (SP), are reviewed in relationship to the immune system and selected infections. NK1R and SP are ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom. This important pathway has unique functions in numerous cells and tissues. The interaction of SP with its preferred receptor, NK1R, leads to the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and proinflammatory cytokines. NK1R has two isoforms, both a full-length and a truncated form. These isoforms have different functional significances and differ in cell signaling capability. The proinflammatory signals modulated by SP are important in bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases, as well as in immune system function. The SP-NK1R system is a major class 1, rhodopsin-like GPCR ligand-receptor interaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. DOUGLAS@email.chop.edu
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Leeman
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000502:physiology; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D013373:Substance P / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D013373:Substance P