Multichain Immune Recognition Receptors (MIRRs) represent a family of surface receptors expressed on different cells of the hematopoetic system and function to transduce signals leading to a variety of biologic responses. This text describes the molecular basis of MIRR-mediated transmembrane signaling.

Immunological recognition is a central feature of the adaptive immunity of vertebrates. With the exception of agnathans, which developed an entirely distinct set of immunologically-specific molecules, all vertebrates use a recognition system based on what Achsah Keegan and I suggested in 1992 be termed multichain immune recognition receptors (MIRRs). MIRRs consist of ligand-binding molecules that are immunoglobulin supergene family members associated with signal transducers and enhancers in such a way as both insure precise ligand recognition, discrimination and ampHfication of the signal....