Reviews & Analysis

The transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is essential for the development and function of regulatory T cells. Here, the authors propose that FOXP3 might also influence how a cell responds to T-cell receptor stimulation and what tissue-homing receptors it expresses.

The pandemic threat posed by avian influenza viruses highlights the need for new safe and efficient vaccines. However, several unique obstacles are faced by researchers in the development of these vaccines against avian influenza viruses. What are these obstacles and how can we overcome them?

B-1 cells are a minor population of B cells that function as effectors of innate immune responses in serous cavities. But where and when do they first emerge in the developing embryo? And do they originate from a distinct progenitor?

Regulation of the immune response is crucial for avoiding an excessive inflammatory response. Here, recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatases and their emergence as key regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity are discussed.

How can your thymus continue to generate the necessary numbers of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T (T_Reg) cells once it involutes? Arne Akbar and colleagues propose a model whereby some T_Regcells differentiate from rapidly proliferating memory T cells in the periphery.

Individuals infected with parasitic helminths can show a reduction in the development of allergic disorders. Here evidence for a possible role for worms in suppressing allergic responses is examined, with a view to therapeutic strategies for the treatment of allergic diseases.

Emerging evidence indicates that the induction of an effective immune response involves the cooperation of multiple Toll-like receptors and other pattern-recognition receptors. Here, the role of this cooperation in host defence against various pathogens and the therapeutic implications are discussed.

The intercellular transfer of cell-surface proteins is known to occur between immune cells, but how common is this occurrence, what are its mechanisms and is it important in influencing the interactions of immune cells?

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) isoforms PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ generate lipid second messengers that control an array of signalling pathways for numerous immune-cell functions. Recent studies indicate that specific targeting of these PI3K isoforms could be beneficial for treating inflammatory diseases.

The development of humanized mice over the past few decades has enabled the examination of human haematopoiesis, immunity to infectious diseases, cancer and autoantibodies in mice. But are these mice the key to translational research or is more work required?

The T-cell cytoskeleton is a complex intracellular network of structural, adaptor and signalling molecules. This Review discusses recent advances in our understanding of its role in the initiation and maintenance of T-cell activation during antigen-presenting-cell recognition.

Interleukin-7 is important at many stages in the life of a T cell. Expression of its receptor not only regulates how a T cell responds, but also seems to determine how much interleukin-7 is present in the niche, as explained in this Review.

This Review emphasizes the functional differences between human and murine mast cells, which have often been overlooked in the past, and their implications for studying the role of mast cells in human health and disease.

Transcription factors are key coordinators of cell fate and therefore they must be tightly regulated to ensure proper differentiation. As described in this Review, dysregulation of myeloid-specific transcription factors causes the block in myeloid differentiation seen in many myeloid leukaemias.

The immune-system–brain interface is a crucial route for communication between the brain in health and disease and environmental pathogens and toxins. Can systemic infections and inflammation associated with chronic neurodegenerative diseases exacerbate symptoms and drive the progression of neurodegeneration?

Although the only signalling motif in the adaptor protein DAP12 is generally thought to transduce activating signals, DAP12 has recently been shown to have inhibitory effects. A model to explain how this might occur is proposed in this Opinion article.

The involvement of STAT3 in both oncogenic and immunosuppressive signalling pathways provides a molecular mechanism for the bidirectional communication between malignant cells and immune cells, and makes STAT3 an important target for tumour immunotherapy.

The inflammasome is a cytosolic, multiprotein platform that regulates post-translational cytokine processing and is essential for innate immune defence. What lessons can be learned from the most recent studies on inflammasome activation in response to bacterial pathogens and tissue damage?

Translating basic research into viable therapies is challenged by many obstacles. In this Opinion article, Ian Sabroe and colleagues identify some of these obstacles and suggest a series of strategies to maximize the potential of translational research.

Some neuropeptides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and to participate in maintaining immune tolerance. Here the most recent developments in this field are examined, and the effectiveness of using neuropeptides in treating several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders is highlighted.