Opinion in 2007

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  • In this Opinion article, the authors propose that the immunological process that underlies type 1 diabetes is relapsing–remitting in nature; they highlight the supporting evidence and the remaining controversies, and discuss the possible therapeutic implications of their hypothesis.

    • Matthias von Herrath
    • Srinath Sanda
    • Kevan Herold
    Opinion
  • The activating receptor NKG2D (natural-killer group 2, member D) recognizes an array of ligands that are upregulated by cellular stress. But what value is it for the host to express so many ligands for one receptor, and what drives NKG2D-ligand diversity?

    • Robert A. Eagle
    • John Trowsdale
    Opinion
  • What is immune computing? Can the immune system compute? Does it use a computational strategy to function? In this Opinion article, Irun Cohen proposes that the answer to these questions is yes, and applies these ideas to different types of immunity.

    • Irun R. Cohen
    Opinion
  • The DRiP hypothesis proposes that most peptides that bind to MHC class I molecules are derived from newly synthesized defective proteins. Here, the authors revise this hypothesis and propose that some peptides result from the random delivery of unchaperoned nascent polypeptides to the proteasome.

    • Laurence C. Eisenlohr
    • Lan Huang
    • Tania N. Golovina
    Opinion
  • The success and pathogenicity of HIV-1 largely resides in the function of the viral protein Nef. Here, the authors propose that Nef modulates a T cell's ability to form an immunological synapse and modulates T-cell activation to favour viral replication and spread.

    • Oliver T. Fackler
    • Andres Alcover
    • Olivier Schwartz
    Opinion
  • The transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is essential for the development and function of regulatory T cells. Here, the authors propose that FOXP3 might also influence how a cell responds to T-cell receptor stimulation and what tissue-homing receptors it expresses.

    • Daniel J. Campbell
    • Steven F. Ziegler
    Opinion
  • How can your thymus continue to generate the necessary numbers of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (TReg) cells once it involutes? Arne Akbar and colleagues propose a model whereby some TRegcells differentiate from rapidly proliferating memory T cells in the periphery.

    • Arne N. Akbar
    • Milica Vukmanovic-Stejic
    • Derek C. Macallan
    Opinion
  • The immune-system–brain interface is a crucial route for communication between the brain in health and disease and environmental pathogens and toxins. Can systemic infections and inflammation associated with chronic neurodegenerative diseases exacerbate symptoms and drive the progression of neurodegeneration?

    • V. Hugh Perry
    • Colm Cunningham
    • Clive Holmes
    Opinion
  • Although the only signalling motif in the adaptor protein DAP12 is generally thought to transduce activating signals, DAP12 has recently been shown to have inhibitory effects. A model to explain how this might occur is proposed in this Opinion article.

    • Isaiah R. Turnbull
    • Marco Colonna
    Opinion
  • Translating basic research into viable therapies is challenged by many obstacles. In this Opinion article, Ian Sabroe and colleagues identify some of these obstacles and suggest a series of strategies to maximize the potential of translational research.

    • Ian Sabroe
    • David H. Dockrell
    • Steven K. Dower
    Opinion