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Memory T cells in non-lymphoid tissues provide an important early line of defence against secondary pathogen infection. In this article, the mechanisms involved in the migration, maintenance and function of memory T cells at these peripheral sites are discussed.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that expands during cancer, inflammation and infection. Here, the authors discuss the mechanisms of MDSC expansion and suppression of T-cell functionin vivo, and describe how these cells might be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
Haematopoiesis is driven by complex networks of transcriptional regulators. Among them are the E and inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) proteins, which have important roles in early B- and T-cell development, as well as emerging roles in haematopoietic stem cells and other lymphoid and myeloid lineages.
Infant and elderly humans and mice have a similar vulnerability to common pathogens as a result of the decreased quantity and persistence of antibody responses. This Review looks at the B-cell intrinsic factors and microenvironmental determinants in lymphoid tissue and bone marrow that limit protective B-cell responses in these age groups.
Signalling through the pre-B-cell receptor is an important checkpoint in B-cell development. But, what are the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell proliferation, immunoglobulin light chain gene recombination and cell differentiation downstream of this receptor?
How the T-cell receptor translates ligand affinity to an appropriate cellular response has puzzled immunologists for decades. In this Opinion article, the authors propose a new model to explain this, which is based on the duration of receptor–ligand binding and on a 'zipper' mechanism that mediates receptor–co-receptor interactions.
In the light of the introduction of conjugate vaccines againstHaemophilus influenzaetype B and group C meningococcal and pneumococcal diseases over the past two decades, this Science & Society article discusses the ways in which long-term protection against these encapsulated bacteria might best be maintained at a population level.
