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The prevailing paradigms ascribe the initiation of immune surveillance to the detection of foreign or inflammatory 'danger' signals. However, new work indicates that immune cells can detect early signs of cellular dysregulation that precede tumorigenesis, even in the absence of non-self signals and/or inflammation.
The T cell costimulatory protein LIGHT and coinhbitory protein BTLA share a common ligand, HVEM. Now CD160 is also shown to bind HVEM and deliver a potent inhibitory signal to CD4 T cells.
The inflammatory cytokine interleukin 17, normally considered a T cell–associated factor, is now reported to be the central participant driving the development of germinal center–derived autoantibodies in a model disease setting.
Splenic marginal zone B cells take up blood-borne antigens. These B cells are now reported to continuously transport antigens to the follicles, a process that ensures efficient delivery of blood-borne antigens to follicular dendritic cells.
Over 20 years have passed since the discovery of NF-κB and its signaling pathways, yet additional participants continue to be identified. The highly conserved protein Akirin is such an example.
The cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12, along with the transcription factors STAT4 and T-bet, are necessary for driving TH1 development. Fresh data now indicate that the transcription factor IRF1 is also essential in this process.
Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages occurs through recognition of specific molecules on the surfaces of apoptotic cells by receptors on macrophages. Three recent studies add to the understanding of this process.
