Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
09:18
Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Friendly and dangerous signals: is the tissue in control?
1Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. pcm@helix.nih.gov
Nature Immunology
|December 21, 2006
Summary
Tissues release defense signals to start immunity and direct immune cell responses. Current models like T(H)1-T(H)2 and T(reg) do not capture the full spectrum of these complex immune reactions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Signaling
Background:
- Tissues possess intricate defense mechanisms to initiate immune responses.
- Immune cell differentiation is guided by specific signaling pathways.
- Existing classifications of T helper cell subsets (e.g., T(H)1, T(H)2, T(reg)) may oversimplify immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complexity of immune signaling initiated by tissues.
- To investigate the diversity of effector cell classes beyond simplified models.
- To challenge the adequacy of current T helper cell subset representations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of molecular signals emitted by tissues during immune activation.
- Characterization of diverse effector cell populations.
- Comparative study of signaling pathways and resulting immune responses.
Main Results:
- Tissues deploy a wide array of signals to orchestrate immunity.
- Immune responses exhibit a greater variety of effector classes than previously represented.
- Simplified models fail to encompass the full complexity of tissue-initiated immunity.
Conclusions:
- The current understanding of T helper cell subsets is insufficient to describe the full range of immune responses.
- Tissue-derived signals play a crucial role in diversifying immune effector functions.
- Further research is needed to characterize the complete spectrum of immune responses.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Sympathetic Signaling
Sympathetic signaling, a vital part of the autonomic nervous system, plays a crucial role in mobilizing the body's resources in response to stress or emergencies. It involves the transmission of nerve impulses from sympathetic preganglionic fibers to postganglionic fibers. This results in the release of specific neurotransmitters and activation of adrenergic receptors.
Sympathetic preganglionic fibers release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) onto the ganglionic neurons in the...
Sympathetic preganglionic fibers release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) onto the ganglionic neurons in the...
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
01:23Overview of Cell Signaling
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. For example, skin cells respond to and transmit touch...
01:32Types of Signaling Molecules
In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...
01:32Types of Signaling Molecules
In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...