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Nature 453, 46-47 (1 May 2008) | doi:10.1038/453046a; Published online 30 April 2008

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Immunology: T cells hang in the balance

Emily A. Stevens1 & Christopher A. Bradfield1

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Equally important as the immune system's function in fighting invaders is its ability to tolerate self. But environmental toxins could shift the equilibrium between these activities one way or the other.

To ensure the efficient execution of its various activities, the immune system has distributed responsibility between different sets of its cells. But disease, pathogens and pollutants might disrupt the levels and functions of these cells.

  1. Emily A. Stevens and Christopher A. Bradfield are in the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
    Email: bradfield@oncology.wisc.edu