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IRE1α is a stress sensor that is activated by a high-fat diet. In adipose-tissue macrophages, it serves as a major switch toward pro-inflammatory M1 polarization and thereby contributes to obesity and associated diseases.
The immune system employs a multitude of molecules, cells and organs that act together throughout the entire body to guard human health. Much like in a social network, immune cells can exert full functionality only through effective collaboration and communication.
The transcription factor IRF4 acts as a 'rheostat' for TCR signaling. Discrete levels of IRF4 can activate distinct transcriptional programs in T cells due to binding sites of variable affinity in groups of target genes.
The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate and butyrate, which are released from specialized diets by gut microbes, protect non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice against insulitis and slow the progression of diabetes.
Omissions of qualified women scientists from major meeting programs continue to occur despite a surge in articles indicating persistent gender-discriminatory practices in hiring and promotion, and calls for gender balance in conference organizing committees.
Obesity is commonly accompanied by inflammatory responses in white adipose tissues. Chavakis and colleagues identify a vicious cycle involving α4 integrins and the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 that promotes inflammatory macrophage–adipocyte interactions and suppresses beige adipogenesis.
Turner and colleagues show that the RNA-binding protein ZFP36L1 regulates a post-transcriptional hub that determines the identity of marginal-zone B cells by promoting their localization and survival.
Transcription factors compete for superenhancer sites and have antagonist functions. Farrar and colleagues identify regulatory competition between STAT5 and IKAROS or NF-κB in B cells and show that the ratio of STAT5 to IKAROS or to NF-κB can serve as a prognostic marker of disease severity of the leukemia B-ALL.
Murphy and colleagues show that the transcription-factor complex BATF-IRF4, which recognizes AICE motifs within gene enhancers, is sensitive to TCR signaling strength and identify distinct gene targets that respond to graded doses of TCR stimulation.
‘Crown-like’ structures composed of apoptotic adipocytes surrounded by adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) are a characteristic of obesity. Liu and colleagues show that engulfment of apoptotic adipocytes triggers an ER stress response in ATMs and drives the proinflammatory response that underlies obesity.
The gut microbiota can influence immune-cell function by the production of short-chain fatty acids. Mackay and colleagues show that diets enriched for acetate and butyrate protect non-obese diabetic mice from insulitis and diabetes progression.