Recent studies reveal that the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD) is an important family of cytosolic pattern recognition receptors that have a distinct function in the innate immune system. The recognition and interaction between NOD and pathogen-associated molecular patterns are related to many types of clinical diseases. This study reviews the biological characteristics of NOD, immune functions of odontoblasts and dental pulp fibroblasts, and the expression of NOD in dental pulp cells. The results provide novel insights that can help improve the current understanding of the pathogenesis of pulpitis, prevention of the disease, and endodontic treatment.
