Individual innate immune stimuli ligate specific TLRs. The specific TLR(s) ligated directly interact with the TBK1 phosphorylation complex to help dictate the specific IRFs that are activated, leading to a stimulus-specific response. Cross-reactivity of innate immune stimuli with other innate immune receptors such as RLRs or DAI can also impact the specificity of the IRFs activated by TBK1. Expression of regulatory molecules including miRNAs may occur within stimulus-specific responses, further feeding back on the pathway.
DAI: DNA-dependent activator of IFN regulatory factors; IRF: Interferon regulatory factor; RLR: RIG-like receptor; TBK: TANK binding kinase 1; TLR: Toll-like receptor.