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Neutrophils are classically known for their role as efficient phagocytes. Nauseef and Borregaard discuss other aspects of their biology, including trafficking, phagosome heterogeneity and the production of ectosomes.
The DNA-damage sensor Rad50 couples the sensing of cytosolic DNA to the innate immunological adaptor CARD9 to stimulate DNA-dependent activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. This facilitates DNA virus–stimulated production of the cytokine IL-1β.
The colonization of the colon with commensal microflora drives the induction and population expansion of regulatory T cells, an immunological adaption needed to prevent mucosal inflammation. The epigenetic modifier Uhrf1 acts as a key molecular mediator of such expansion and the establishment of a harmonious mucosal environment.
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that exhibit many features of adaptive immunity, such as long-lived memory. This can now be extended to the transcriptional circuits that control the proliferation of NK cells and lymphocytes.
RNA-binding proteins regulate gene expression by interacting with mRNA and destabilizing it. In this Focus Review, Kontoyiannis and colleagues describe how this class of protein affects various aspects of immunological function.
Approximately 10% of the human genome is involved in either ubiquitination or phosphorylation. In this Focus Review, Cohen describes the mutations underlying the diseases afflicting these important post-translational systems.
Immune system proteins are subject to numerous post-translational modifications. In this Focus Review, Mowen and David describe the key 'non-conventional' modifications such as acetylation and nitrosylation that affect immunologically-relevant proteins.
Non-coding RNA accounts for a large proportion of the mammalian genome. In this Focus Review, Martin Turner and colleagues explore how these RNA species regulate gene transcription in the immune system.
Translation of mRNA is controlled by a whole host of tightly regulated processes. In this Focus Review, Piccirillo et al. describe how translational skewing can serve a key role in the immune system.
Cytokines and other environmental cues influence polarization of CD4+ helper T cells, but the signaling pathways that are involved are less clear. Recent findings show that signaling via an mTORC2-SGK1 kinase axis regulates TH1–TH2 cell-fate polarization.
CTLA-4 is a potent inhibitor of T cell population expansion. The PIX-GIT2-PAK2 complex is recruited to the cytoplasmic domain of CTLA-4 via the kinase PKC-η, which suggests a previously unrecognized aspect of signal transduction via CTLA-4 in immunoregulation.
Although it is generally considered a proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6) has anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages by sensitizing them to IL-4 through upregulation of the IL-4 receptor.
Functional coupling of receptors for immunoglobulin G (FcγRI) and interferon-γ (IFN-γR) generates a context-dependent signaling pathway in macrophages.
The activation of dendritic cells by Toll-like receptors leads to a rapid enhancement in glycolysis. Glucose is metabolized to pyruvate and from there to citrate in the mitochondria, which leads ultimately to membrane biosynthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi to support the activation of dendritic cells.
Innate lymphoid cells, marginal reticular cells and B cell–helper neutrophils interact to promote antibody secretion by B cells in the marginal zone of the spleen in humans and mice.
Recent findings in the SIV-monkey model provide new evidence that stimulating effective CD8+ T cell immunity could provide protection. McMichael and Koff explore the path forward for optimizing such responses in humans.
Hyperactivity of a branch of the unfolded protein response in CD8α+ dendritic cells degrades endoplasmic reticulum–associated mRNAs, which leads to a defect in the cross-presentation of dead cell–derived antigens.
