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Bitter taste receptors, also known as type 2 taste receptors (T2Rs), are found not only in the mouth's taste bud cells but also in various tissues and cells, including macrophages. Macrophages, known for their remarkable plasticity, play a crucial role in regulating innate immunity, managing inflammation, and orchestrating immune responses to antigens, pathogens, and environmental factors. Recently, the study of the expression and function of bitter taste receptors within macrophages has garnered significant interest. This review summarizes the expression levels and distribution characteristics of bitter taste receptors in macrophages and examines their effects on macrophage polarization, phagocytosis, and chemotaxis, as well as their potential molecular mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to provide insight and perspectives for research on the regulatory role of T2Rs in macrophage functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Bitterness, as one of the most important physiological sensations in animals, is primarily recognized through the mediation of bitter taste receptors. In recent years, it has been found that these receptors are not only expressed in taste bud cells on the tongue but also in the respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. They are involved in regulating various fundamental physiological processes and are now considered important targets for the treatment of various diseases. This paper reviewed the structure, classification, distribution, and signaling pathways of bitter taste receptors, their relationship with different diseases, and the role of bitter taste receptors agonists, aiming to provide a basis for scientific research on bitter taste receptors.

In order to study the interaction between Pterocephalus hookeri and bitter taste receptors,three-dimensional structural models of bitter taste receptors TAS2 R16,TAS2 R14 and TAS2 R13 were established by homology modeling in this paper. Maestro software was used for docking the chemical constituents of P. hookeri with bitter taste receptors. The results showed that 25 chemical components of P. hookeri can regulate three bitter taste receptors. And these components were mainly iridoid glycosides and phenolic acids.This research focused on the comprehensive application of homology modeling and molecular docking technology to explore the interaction between bitter chemical constituents of P. hookeri and bitter taste receptors. This study provided assistance in revealing pharmacodynamic basis of bitter Tibetan medicine at molecular level. It also provided new ideas and methods for the study of Tibetan medicine.