Role of Innate Immune System in Inflammation and Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction

The innate immune system is well recognized as the first line defense of foreign pathogens; however, it can also recognize endogenous signals released from injured tissues and induce sterile inflammation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and Nod-like receptors (NLRs) have been identified as its receptors, and they have been shown to play a key role in the disease processes of sterile inflammation, including myocardial infarction (MI). In particular, NLRs are the key components of the caspase-1 activating platform known as the “inflammasome,” which produces the potent proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β. The current article reviews the role of the innate immune system, especially TLRs and inflammasomes, in the pathophysiology of MI.