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Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2 cells) contribute to early immune responses directed against helminths and fungi. Paul and colleagues identify distinct inflammatory IL-25-responsive and natural IL-33-responsive ILC2 cells in lung tissues.
The chemoattractant receptor GPR15 can direct CD4+ T cells to the colon. Habtezion and colleagues show that GATA-3 and Foxp3 exhibit species-specific differences in promoting GPR15 expression and thereby influences homing of CD4+ effector and regulatory T cells.
Ligation of the Toll-like receptor TLR7 in human CD4+ T cells elicits an anergic state that may contribute to CD4+ T cell hyporesponsiveness after infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and may also enhance propagation of this virus.
Virus-triggered type I interferon induces the lysine methyltransferase Setdb2; this then generates repressive histone marks on the promoters of genes encoding molecules important for antibacterial immunity. This process can contribute to influenza virus–associated bacterial superinfection.
T cells with increased self-reactivity and marked by high expression of the negative regulator CD5 differ in gene-expression patterns and are poised for greater bursts of proliferation when they encounter foreign antigens.
Researchers gathered in Paris at the first European Molecular Biology Organization conference devoted to innate lymphoid cells and discussed recent advances to further understanding of the development, regulation and function of these intriguing cells.
Much of the research on lung immunology has concentrated on classic hematopoietically derived cells of the immune system. In this Focus Review, Alenghat and Whitsett discuss the key innate immunological functions of the respiratory epithelium.