Newest Articles
Two alternate strategies for innate immunity to Epstein-Barr virus: One using NK cells and the other NK cells and γδ T cellsDjaoud et al. show that Epstein–Barr virus infection triggers two types of human innate immune response, one mediated by the combination of NK cells and γδ T cells and the other committed to a strong NK cell response with little involvement of γδ T cells.
Immune checkpoints on innate lymphoid cellsIn this issue of JEM, Taylor et al. describe PD-1 as a critical negative regulator of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC-2s). PD-1 intrinsically controls proliferation and cytokine production of both mouse and human ILC-2s. PD-1 signaling inhibits STAT5 phosphorylation and the removal of this brake by knocking down PD-1 expression or by using anti–PD-1 blocking antibodies, translated in vivo into better clearance of helminth worm infection in mice.
A transit-amplifying population underpins the efficient regenerative capacity of the testisCarrieri et al. identify a novel population of Miwi2-expressing undifferentiated spermatogonia. This population behave as transit-amplifying cells during homeostasis, but retain facultative stem cell activity and is critical for regenerative spermatogenesis.
Regression of apoptosis-resistant colorectal tumors by induction of necroptosis in miceHe et al. demonstrate that SMAC mimetic is efficient to target caspase-8–deficient colorectal cancer by induction of necroptosis. This study represents an attractive strategy for overcoming apoptosis resistance in colorectal cancer for the development of more effective personalized therapy.
PD-1 regulates KLRG1+ group 2 innate lymphoid cellsTaylor et al. show that PD1 negatively regulates KLRG1+ ILC-2s by attenuating STAT5 activation. Blocking PD1 signaling significantly enhances the protective function of ILC-2s in helminthic infection.
Interleukin 4 promotes the development of ex-Foxp3 Th2 cells during immunity to intestinal helminthsPelly et al. use novel mouse reporter systems to show that a proportion of Th2 cells develop from Foxp3-expressing cells in an IL-4–dependent manner, highlighting the potential to subvert T reg cell–mediated suppression in favor of type 2 immunity.
pIgR and PECAM-1 bind to pneumococcal adhesins RrgA and PspC mediating bacterial brain invasionPneumococci are major causes of bacterial meningitis. Iovino et al. show that pneumococci invade the brain and pass the blood–brain barrier by interacting with the endothelial receptors pIgR and PECAM-1 recognizing the pneumococcal adhesin RrgA and PspC on the bacterial surface.
IL-2high tissue-resident T cells in the human liver: Sentinels for hepatotropic infectionPallett et al. identify tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells compartmentalized in the healthy human liver that expand in controlled hepatotropic infection and can swiftly produce antiviral cytokines. This prototype may inform the development of liver-targeted T cell immunotherapy.
NLRP3 inflammasome assembly is regulated by phosphorylation of the pyrin domainNLRP3 is an innate immune receptor that needs to be tightly regulated to prevent overshooting immune responses. Stutz et al. demonstrate that NLRP3 is phosphorylated as a safeguard against accidental activation, and that dephosphorylation involving PP2A activity is required for NLRP3 activation.
ETV2/ER71 regulates hematopoietic regeneration by promoting hematopoietic stem cell proliferationXu et al. show that Etv2 is required for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) proliferation and expansion after bone marrow transplantation and hematopoietic injury. c-Kit functions downstream of Etv2 in mediating HSPC proliferation and expansion.