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The 100th anniversary of Robert Koch's receiving the Nobel Prize reminds us of his achievements as a founder of modern bacteriology and as a forefather of immunology.
Germinal center formation requires BCL6 to silence specific genes in B cells. New data now show that the repertoire of genes repressed by BCL6 is larger than previously thought, because of its interaction with the DNA-binding protein Miz-1.
Although it often acts as a transcriptional activator, the nuclear hormone receptor PPAR-γ also 'transrepresses' inflammatory responses mediated by the transcription factor NF-κB. New data demonstrate that sumoylation of PPAR-γ leads to the retention of repressor complexes on promoters of inflammatory genes.
Dendritic cell maturation leading to efficient antigen presentation is a central event that triggers adaptive immune responses. This maturation process seems to be regulated by the AP-1 adaptor proteins through the action of caspases.
The adaptor SAP mediates activation signals in natural killer cells. However, its family members EAT-2 and ERT are negative regulators that help to fine-tune natural killer cell recognition of viruses and tumors.
Multicellular organisms exist in hostile environments full of dangerous microorganisms. Retrocyclin 2, a θ-defensin analog, acts at cell membranes to hinder viral coat attachment helping to protect multicellular organisms.
Despite considerable advances in identifying the environmental agents that trigger allergy and the immunological mechanisms involved, progress in developing effective treatments remains frustratingly slow. Is it time to rethink some of the paradigms guiding this research?