Volume 11 Issue 5, May 2011

Eosinophils maintain glucose homeostasis by modulating macrophage phenotype in adipose tissue.

Caspase 8 inhibits RIPK3-mediated necroptosis in T cells.

Zinc functions as an ionic signalling messenger to lower TCR activation thresholds.

APCs can present antigen by cross-dressing — the transfer of preformed peptide–MHC class I complexes to uninfected APCs.

Neutrophils drive anaphylaxis by secreting platelet-activating factor.

Reducing the number of macrophages in primary breast cancer tumours in mice increases sensitivity to chemotherapy through a mechanism involving CD8⁺T cells.

Intracellular MHC class II molecules enhance TLR signalling in antigen-presenting cells by promoting the activity of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK).

Uric acid crystals drive T_H2-type inflammation and allergic airway disease.

Commensal bacteria promote influenza virus-specific adaptive immune responses in an inflammasome-dependent manner.

Here, Thomas Boehm considers the commonalities that underlie the adaptive immune systems of jawless and jawed vertebrates, including functionally distinct B- and T-like cells and anatomically segregated sites for their generation, as well somatically diversified and clonally expressed antigen receptors. The features that distinguish the adaptive immune systems in these vertebrate groups are also considered.

This Review describes the anatomical features of the central nervous system (CNS) barriers and focuses on the way in which the immune system responds to neurotropic viruses that establish latent or persistent infections in the CNS. It also discusses imaging technologies that can be used to understand viral entry and antiviral immune responses in the CNS.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) induces T cell proliferation and enhances antigen-specific immune responses: attributes that pinpoint its value as a potential therapeutic agent. This Review summarizes preclinical and clinical data on the immunorestorative effects of IL-7 in various pathologies and discusses the conditions for which IL-7 therapy might be of use.

The improvement of tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment regimens depends on the identification of suitable biomarkers. Analysis of host immunological markers at diagnosis and throughout treatment may aid new drug development and the clinical management of individual patients.

Despite the frequently proposed 'redundancy' of the chemokine system, these authors put forward the opinion that targeting a single chemokine receptor can be effective in treating inflammatory disease provided that thein vivopotency is sufficient.