Browse Articles

This Review describes the type I interferonopathies — a set of Mendelian disorders associated with the upregulation of type I interferon activity. The authors explain how defects in key components of innate immune signalling pathways can lead to these diseases and discuss the immunological insights that have resulted from their study.

Type I interferons (IFNs) are best known for their role in antiviral immunity. As discussed in this Review, recent evidence indicates that these cytokines also have an integral role in natural and therapy-induced anticancer immunity. Harnessing the antineoplastic properties of type I IFNs may lead to the development of ever-more effective anticancer therapies.

Interleukin-7 supports metabolic activity in memory CD8⁺T cells, and should our paradigms of memory subsets be revised?

A newly identified protein, LEM, promotes CD8⁺T cell proliferation and memory formation.

In this Review, the authors describe how tumour necrosis factor (TNF) signals via its receptors. They explain how TNF is able to promote cell survival or cell death in different contexts and discuss the consequences of deregulated TNF receptor signalling for chronic human diseases. Finally, they discuss new strategies for targeting TNF in the clinic.

T helper 17 (T_H17) cells transdifferentiate into T regulatory type 1 (T_R1) cells and contribute to the resolution of inflammation in mice.

Fibroblastic reticular cells — which are immunologically specialized myofibroblasts of mesenchymal origin — create a network within lymph nodes that is essential for immunological health through interactions with B cells, T cells, dendritic cells and high endothelial venules.

Cytotoxic lymphocytes recognize virus-infected and transformed cells and kill them by apoptosis. Recent studies on the structural and cellular biology of the key mediators of this cytotoxicity — perforin and granzymes — have advanced our understanding of their mechanisms of action, their regulation and the pathophysiological consequences of impaired cytotoxicity.

Tumour-associated eosinophils support CD8⁺T cell-mediated rejection through chemoattraction and vascular normalization.

A newly discovered B cell-derived peptide inhibits T cell migration during inflammatory responses.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are produced by bacteria and can interact with leukocytes and other host cells to shape the immune response during infection. OMVs can have both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects; in this Review, the authors discuss how they may contribute to human diseases and also their potential as vaccine adjuvants.

This Review considers the impact of host temperature on the immune system. In particular, the authors focus on how the thermal element of the fever response can shape both innate and adaptive immune responses.

Tumour necrosis factor signals in the hypothalamus promote peripheral adaptive immune responses.

Interleukin-17B protects against dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by antagonizing the functions of interleukin-25.

Cytomegalovirus infection enhances immunity and improves vaccine responses to influenza virus in humans and provides cross-protection against influenza virus in mice.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the food we eat can influence the development of allergic diseases. In this Review, the authors describe the role of both maternal and early childhood food exposure in the prevention of allergy and asthma, and they discuss some of the known dietary components that influence immune homeostasis and the development of allergy.

Cigarette smoke exposure enhances lung inflammation in multiple ways.