PAMPs and DAMPs in the inflammatory response

Similar to the release of bacterial DNA following sepsis, the mitochondrial DNA released by severe trauma can also act through the toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) to activate neutrophils by activating p38 MAP kinase (MAPK). Similarly, formylated peptides released from bacteria and mitochondria activate the formyl peptide receptor-1 (FPR1) and attract neutrophils by the process of chemotaxis to sites of inflammation and injury. In both cases, the outcome may be acute lung injury, which is part of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). DAMPs, damage-associated molecular patterns; PAMPs, pathogen-associated molecular patterns.