Decoy Receptors in Autoimmunity: Molecular Guardians and Pathogenic Players in Immune Dysregulation

Autoimmune disorders encompass a varied range of diseases in which the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the body's own tissues. The causes of the conditions are unknown. It is presumed that various genetic, environmental, and immune factors all play a part. Nowadays, therapies concentrate mainly on anti-inflammatory agents with immunosuppressant medications. New research highlights the central role of decoy receptors (DcRs) in regulating the immune system. DcRs are molecular traps for cytokines and other signaling molecules, preventing them from binding to functional receptors and influencing inflammatory processes. Their activity is context-dependent, shifting the balance between protective and pathogenic responses, and DcR dysregulation has been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. Understanding DcR function is critical for the design of potential therapeutic interventions. DcR mechanisms are reviewed here with emphasis on structural and disease-specific functions. Targeting DcRs is a promising strategy to reconstitute immune homeostasis. Understanding the dual regulatory functions and context-dependent mechanisms is critical for designing new therapies that reduce autoimmune pathogenesis without compromising host defense mechanisms.