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Face off--the interplay between activating and inhibitory immune receptors
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California (San Francisco), 513 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0414, 94143-0414, San Francisco, CA, USA. lanier@itsa.ucsf.edu
Current Opinion in Immunology
|June 19, 2001
Summary
Leukocyte function relies on signals from cell surface receptors. Paired receptors, despite similarities, can trigger opposing immune responses, a mechanism now being uncovered.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Signaling
Background:
- Leukocyte (white blood cell) activity is governed by signals transduced through cell surface receptors.
- These receptors integrate both activating and inhibitory signals to modulate immune responses.
- Some receptors, termed 'paired receptors,' possess similar structures and bind identical ligands but elicit distinct cellular outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of leukocyte function.
- To investigate how paired receptors control immune cell signaling.
- To understand the integration of positive and negative signals in immune cell activation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell surface receptor expression and function.
- Investigating ligand-receptor interactions.
- Studying signal transduction pathways downstream of paired receptors.
Main Results:
- Identified distinct signaling outcomes mediated by structurally similar paired receptors.
- Demonstrated that paired receptors can transmit opposing signals (activating vs. inhibitory).
- Provided insights into the molecular basis of differential signaling.
Conclusions:
- Paired receptors represent a critical mechanism for fine-tuning immune responses.
- The differential signaling capacity of paired receptors allows for precise control of leukocyte functions.
- Further research into paired receptors will illuminate complex immune regulation.