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Disturbances in the balance between 'good' and 'bad' bacteria that reside in the gut could underlie the development of inflammatory bowel diseases, according to the authors of this Review. They describe how a 'normal' microbiota is required for proper functioning of the immune system.
Angus Thomson and colleagues describe the consequences of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition by rapamycin on dendritic cells, effector T cells and regulatory T cells. These effects make mTOR inhibition a promising immunosuppressive, but tolerance-promoting, therapeutic strategy.
This Review discusses the importance of galectin-glycan interactions in regulating T cell survival, activation, cytokine production and regulatory functions, as well as shaping the B cell compartment. Targeting these interactions could have important therapeutic implications for inflammation, autoimmunity and cancer.
How should the immune system respond to a dying cell? Should it ignore it (to allow normal tissue turnover), tolerate it (to prevent autoimmunity) or respond to it (to clear pathogens or tumours)? This Review describes our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in this decision.
A dynamic face-off occurring in the vasculature between invading bacterial pathogens and the host immune system is crucial for limiting the spread of pathogens throughout the body. Recent studies visualizing these intravascular events reveal the immune mechanisms that are involved in this process and how bacteria can overcome them.
The devastating impact of smoking on health is well known. Here the authors warn of the complex and multiple adverse effects of cigarette smoke on the immune system, which increase susceptibility to respiratory infections, lung pathologies and cancer.
