C-type lectin receptors

C-type lectin receptors are specialized proteins on immune cells that detect specific molecules on the surface of pathogens like fungi, bacteria, and viruses. They recognize carbohydrate structures, or sugar patterns, on these microbes, helping the immune system identify and respond to infections. By doing so, they coordinate immune responses such as inflammation and the destruction of harmful invaders. These receptors are crucial for the body's ability to distinguish between harmless substances and dangerous microbes, playing an essential role in maintaining immune defense and preventing illness.