International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Role of NLRs in the Regulation of Type I Interferon Signaling, Host Defense and Tolerance to Inflammation Ioannis Kienes 1, Tanja Weidl 1, Nora Mirza 1, Mathias Chamaillard 2 and Thomas A. Kufer 1,* 1 Department of Immunology, Institute for Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;
[email protected] (I.K.);
[email protected] (T.W.);
[email protected] (N.M.) 2 University of Lille, Inserm, U1003, F-59000 Lille, France;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Type I interferon signaling contributes to the development of innate and adaptive immune responses to either viruses, fungi, or bacteria. However, amplitude and timing of the interferon response is of utmost importance for preventing an underwhelming outcome, or tissue damage. While several pathogens evolved strategies for disturbing the quality of interferon signaling, there is growing evidence that this pathway can be regulated by several members of the Nod-like receptor (NLR) family, although the precise mechanism for most of these remains elusive. NLRs consist of a family of about 20 proteins in mammals, which are capable of sensing microbial products as well as endogenous signals related to tissue injury. Here we provide an overview of our current understanding of the function of those NLRs in type I interferon responses with a focus on viral infections. We discuss how NLR-mediated type I interferon regulation can influence the development of auto-immunity and the immune response to infection. Citation: Kienes, I.; Weidl, T.; Mirza, Keywords: NOD-like receptors; Interferons; innate immunity; immune regulation; type I interferon; N.; Chamaillard, M.; Kufer, T.A.