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The structure of human CD1b has now been solved by Gadola et al. (page 721), revealing a fascinating set of tunnels and tubes that explains how one protein can bind lipids of such variety. See also the News & Views by Niazi et al. (page 703) Painting is acrylic on canvas by Michael Malicki.
A May 2002 workshop in Virginia, USA, focused on dendritic cells. Kelsall and colleagues summarize here some of the outstanding questions raised at the conference.
CD1b protein presents glycolipids of various tail lengths to T cells. The crystal structure of CD1b sheds light on its ability to accommodate these different glycolipids.
Unlike conventional T cells, “naïve” nonclassical MHC class I T cells have an effector cell phenotype. This may be a result of their distinct thymic selection program.
FcεRI activation of mast cells was thought to be Lyn-dependent. It now appears that FcεRI also uses a Fyn kinase–dependent pathway that is essential for mast cell degranulation.
CD4 is almost universally required for HIV to enter cells. A mutable disulfide bond of CD4, however, can influence the permissiveness of cells to HIV infection.
A role for Shc in T cell development was controversial. Two different genetic approaches now show Shc plays a nonredundant and essential function in pre-TCR signaling.
