Volume 11 Issue 10, October 2010

The Nobel Prizes will be announced at the beginning of October. Is there a possibility that immunology might make the list?

The regulation of gene expression through changes in chromatin structure is increasingly recognized as a chief component of activation of cells of the immune response. It now seems that histone demethylation of the promoter of the gene encoding the transcription factor IRF4 contributes to alternative macrophage activation.

IAPP, a hormone secreted together with insulin and deposited in pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetes, can induce macrophage processing of interleukin 1 linked to beta-cell destruction in type 2 diabetes.

IL-1 signaling requires a heterotrimeric complex of IL-1 receptor, its homolog IL-1RAcP and ligand. The crystal structure of this complex has now been solved, with implications for signaling by many IL-1 family members.

The transcription factor TOX has been shown to influence adaptive T cell development. Further analysis of TOX-deficient mice now demonstrates previously unknown roles for TOX in innate immunity.

Pancreatic islets in type 2 diabetes show characteristic deposition of the amyloid polypeptide IAPP. O'Neill and colleagues show that IAPP induces IL-1β production via the NLRP3 inflammasome, which leads to beta-cell destruction.

The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β signals via a heterodimeric receptor composed of the receptor IL-1RI and the accessory protein IL-1RAcP. Wang and colleagues solve the ligand-receptor structure and explain how antagonist interactions differ.

The role of caspase-12 in viral immunity has not been characterized yet. Fikrig and colleagues now show that it positively regulates the response to West Nile Virus through control of ubiquitinylation of the viral RNA receptor RIG-I.

SLAM is best known for its homotypic costimulatory molecule functions. Terhorst and colleagues now demonstrate that it also acts as a sensor for Gram-negative bacteria and regulates the antibacterial response.

Greater production of interleukin 17A is associated with severe asthma. Wills-Karp and colleagues show that the complement anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a have opposing roles in enhancing or suppressing IL-17a in allergic asthma.

Macrophages can be divided into two subsets, M1 and M2, which have crucial differences in their function. Akira and colleagues identify the histone demethylase Jmjd3 as a key factor in M2 development.

The transcription factors Ikaros and Id2 regulate the development of both the natural killer and lymphoid tissue–inducer lymphoid lineages. Kaye and co-workers now show that the DNA-binding factor TOX is also required.

Lymphocytes must rapidly scan lymph nodes for cognate antigens. Krummel and colleagues show that myosin IIA acts to optimize cell motility by regulating cell contacts through lymph node stromal environments.

Induced regulatory T cells help maintain peripheral tolerance. Flavell and colleagues show that the transcription cofactor Hopx is essential in maintaining the anergy and function of these cells.