Articles in 2012

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) contribute to innate immune responses not only through cell death control but also as essential components of pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) signalling. Here, the ubiquitin ligase activity of IAPs downstream of PRR activation is discussed, along with its therapeutic implications.

Antigen–TCR affinity dictates effector T cell fate by determining the polarity of T cell divisions.

Secretory IgA is an important first-line defence mechanism that protects mucosal barrier tissues from environmental microorganisms and toxins. Here, the author discusses the pathways that lead to the generation of secretory IgA and proposes a model to describe the variable quality of IgA responses against pathogens and commensals.

T cell receptor activation thresholds increase with age in naive CD4⁺T cells owing to a loss of miR-181a expression.

The bitter taste receptor T2R38 regulates antibacterial immune responses in the upper airways.

This Review describes how CD8⁺T cells coordinate signals mediated by antigens, co-stimulatory molecules, pro-inflammatory cytokines and metabolic state to regulate the transcriptional programmes that determine differentiation to diverse effector and memory cell fates.

MYC is required for the formation and maintenance of germinal centres.

Competition for subthreshold ligands may maintain the size and diversity of the peripheral T cell compartment.

PI3Kδ regulates TLR4 signalling by controlling the subcellular localization of TLR4 and TIRAP.

There has been a tendency to associate the development of distinct CD4⁺T cell subsets with the expression of 'master regulator' transcription factors. Here, the authors discuss the shortcomings of this model and explain why 'lineage-specifying' may be a more fitting way to describe these key transcription factors.

Human genetic studies associate defective A20 activity with autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, as well as with cancer. Here, Ma and Malynn discuss the complex mechanisms through which A20 may control immune cell activation and survival, thereby maintaining homeostasis.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the development and use of humanized mice. The authors consider the remaining challenges and the potential for new advances in our understanding of human immunology through the use of these mice.

Mechanosensitive ion channels promote inflammasome activation in response to cell swelling.

Polyploid tumour cells trigger an immune response through ER stress.