[Immunology of the future]

Immunology is a young science, much younger than MEDICINA, since its modern biological foundations were established only in the 70s-80s with the definition of the T and B cell receptors. In spite of its relative youth, many key basic biological knowledge such as signal transduction, gene recombination, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation have been initiated or expanded using cells from the immune system. Although it is not easy to predict the future, we include in this essay eight areas in which we can expect important developments. These include the definition of the biological basis of homeostasis, the exact mechanisms of antigen processing and presentation by professional antigen presenting cells (which implies also the redefinition of our notions of antigen, now based on the recognition of small peptides from larger molecules), the analysis of multifactorial interactions, the sociology of cell interactions based on adhesion molecules and components of the extracellular matrix, the development of useful antagonists of active inflammatory molecules, the definition of the properties of regional immune systems (such as skin and gut), the definition of the immunities against parasites and finally the definition of the structural basis for autoimmunity. The advances in these areas (and in others which are now impossible to predict) will produce, we think, immunological therapies for prevention (vaccines) and treatment (antagonists, etc.) of infectious, parasitic and other forms of inflammatory diseases, including autoimmunity.