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How γδ T cells 'see' antigen is poorly defined. Déchanet-Merville and colleagues demonstrate that a subset of γδ T cells functionally recognize the stress-associated self molecule EPCR on both virus-infected and transformed cells.
Sensors of the NLR family generally activate innate immunity. Ting et al., however, demonstrate that the little-known NLRC3 negatively regulates Toll-like receptor signaling by altering ubiquitination of the signaling adaptor TRAF6.
New-born and young mice are more susceptible to viral infections. Laouar and colleagues show this sensitivity is due in part to age-dependent TGF-β–mediated suppression of natural killer cell production.
Calcium signals are required for thymocyte positive selection. Allen and colleagues show that thymic selecting ligands induce SCN5a-SCN4b voltage-gated sodium channels and sustained calcium influx necessary for CD4+ selection.
The receptor TIM-3 was initially identified as a negative regulator of T helper type 1 responses. Jinushi and colleagues now show it has high expression by tumor associated-dendritic cells, in which it perturbs immunogenic recognition of nucleic acids.
TH9 cells secrete copious amounts of IL-9, but how their generation is controlled remains poorly defined. Li and colleagues demonstrate that ligation of the costimulatory receptor OX40 potently generates TH9 cells in a manner dependent on noncanonical NF-κB signaling.
Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d. Zajonc and Rossjohn and their colleagues describe molecular interactions between type II NKT cell antigen receptors and CD1d-ligand complexes, which demonstrate distinct modes of recognition used by the receptors.
Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d. Zajonc and Rossjohn and their colleagues describe molecular interactions between type II NKT cell antigen receptors and CD1d-ligand complexes, which demonstrate distinct modes of recognition used by the receptors.
The transcriptional regulation of commitment to the dendritic cell (DC) lineage and functional specialization of DCs in vivo is poorly understood. In this Resource, Merad and colleagues identify the lineage relationships among various tissue DC subsets.
Lyl-1 is a transcription factor expressed in hematopoietic progenitors. Goodell and colleagues show that Lyl-1 is required for lymphoid specification and the maintenance of early T lineage progenitors.
The mechanisms of TGF-β-mediated inhibition of TH2 differentiation remain unclear. Nakayama and colleagues show that TGF-β induces the transcription factor Sox4, which negatively regulates the transcription factor GATA-3 by two independent mechanisms.
TCR microcluster signaling occurs in cognate T cells after they encounter antigen-presenting cells. Krummel and colleagues show that immune synapses are motile as microclusters coalesce after the actin depolymerization that occurs during T cell movement.
IL-2 production is actively suppressed during TH17 differentiation. Quintana and colleagues show that the transcription factor Aiolos is induced by the transcription factors STAT3 and AhR and silences the Il2 locus.
Tissue-specific Langerhans cells and microglia develop in situ before birth. Colonna and colleagues identify IL-34 produced by keratinocytes and neurons as the relevant ligand of CSF1R necessary for their generation.
Hair is a skin component that functions as a physical barrier and thermal regulator. Nagao and colleagues show that hair follicles recruit Langerhans cells to the epidermis via the secretion of various chemokines.
Fusion with the cell membrane is the earliest event in viral infection. Paludan and colleagues show that 'unscheduled' membrane-fusion events elicit an innate immune response dependent on the adaptor STING.
Intestinal microfold (M) cells actively capture luminal antigens and move them by transcytosis to initiate immune responses. Ohno and colleagues show that the Ets transcription factor Spi-B is necessary for M-cell differentiation.
The functional basis of elite control of HIV is still unclear. Walker and colleagues show that elite controllers are tolerant of viral escape variants and more rapidly mobilize cytotoxic granules to the immunological synapse.
Tetramers of peptide and major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) are very useful for the detection of specific T cell antigen receptors; however, they have several drawbacks. Davis and colleagues describe photocrosslinkable pMHC monomers with several important advantages and use these to probe the immunological synapse.
Little is known about the regulation of the ST2L receptor for IL-33. Zhao and colleagues identify the F-box protein FBXL19 as being key to the degradation and negative regulation of ST2L.