pathogen-associated molecular patterns

pathogen-associated molecular patterns

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PAMP

Any of several molecular sequences associated with or found in many different disease-causing microorganisms to which the innate immune system reacts without initiating an antigen-antibody response. Examples of pathogen-associated molecular patterns are 1. bacterial DNA,2. lipoteichoic acids found in the cell walls of gram-positive bacteria, 3. lipopolysaccharides found in the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria, and4. sugars like glucans or mannose, found in fungi or bacteria, respectively, but not in mammalian cells.