Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are molecules within cells that are a component of the innate immune response released from damaged or dying cells due to trauma or an infection by a pathogen. They are also known as danger-associated molecular patterns, danger signals, and alarmin because they serve as a warning sign for the organism to alert it of any damage or infection to its cells. DAMPs are endogenous danger signals that are discharged to the extracellular space in response to damage to the cell from trauma or pathogen. Once a DAMP is released from the cell, it promotes a noninfectious inflammatory response by binding to a pattern-recognition receptor. Inflammation is a key aspect of the innate immune response because it is used to help mitigate future damage to the orga