G protein-coupled receptors: The choreographers of innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans

In this review, we examine the roles of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as noncanonical pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and also discuss how GPCR signaling in C. elegans regulates various immune processes. The search for PRRs and immune regulators in C. elegans prompted many research groups on a quest to identify neuronal GPCRs or GPCR signaling components that are involved in immune regulation. AMP, antimicrobial peptides; DAMP, damage-associated molecular pattern; GPCR, G protein-coupled receptor; HPLA, 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid; UPR, unfolded protein response. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1009151.g001 A recent study illustrated the role for yet another neuronal GPCR in the regulation of innate immunity by modulating intestinal p38/MAPK activity. [...]far, FSHR-1 remains the only intestinal GPCR with an immunomodulatory function.