Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2015

Siglec receptors may support longevity in mammals by protecting host cells against damaging free radicals.

Tumour necrosis factor signals in the hypothalamus promote peripheral adaptive immune responses.

Interleukin-17B protects against dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by antagonizing the functions of interleukin-25.

Cigarette smoke exposure enhances lung inflammation in multiple ways.

Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) promotes the perinatal development of a distinct population of regulatory T cells.

Cytomegalovirus infection enhances immunity and improves vaccine responses to influenza virus in humans and provides cross-protection against influenza virus in mice.

The type 2 cytokine response provides important host-protective functions, but dysregulated type 2 immune responses can contribute to the development of disease. In this Review, the author describes the regulatory mechanisms that limit the pathological consequences of persistent type 2 immunity.

The dominant role of interleukin-2 (IL-2) is in the maintenance of regulatory T cells rather than of effector T cells. This has led to clinical interest in the use of low-dose IL-2 to control autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, with promising initial results.

This Review summarizes our current understanding of the key factors that regulate the differentiation of T helper 9 (T_H9) cells. The authors discuss how T_H9 cells can contribute to protective immunity to infection but may also drive immunopathology in diseases such as allergic asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the food we eat can influence the development of allergic diseases. In this Review, the authors describe the role of both maternal and early childhood food exposure in the prevention of allergy and asthma, and they discuss some of the known dietary components that influence immune homeostasis and the development of allergy.

Immune biomarkers are increasingly being used to inform clinical interventions. In this Science and Society article, the authors discuss the progress that has been made in identifying and applying immune biomarkers in different disease settings. The authors also consider the major challenges facing the field.