Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Microfluidic Approach to Resolve Simultaneous and Sequential Cytokine Secretion of Individual Polyfunctional Cells
09:43

Microfluidic Approach to Resolve Simultaneous and Sequential Cytokine Secretion of Individual Polyfunctional Cells

Published on: March 8, 2024

TRAIL: a multifunctional cytokine

Uta Schaefer1, Oksana Voloshanenko, Daniela Willen

  • 1Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|May 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) shows anti-tumor potential. Understanding the TRAIL/TRAIL-R system in mice is crucial for assessing TRAIL-based cancer therapy safety and efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) pathway is a key regulator of apoptosis.
  • TRAIL exhibits specific anti-tumor activity with minimal toxicity, making it a promising cancer therapeutic.
  • The TRAIL receptor system differs between humans and mice, necessitating studies in murine models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiological role of the TRAIL/TRAIL-R system.
  • To assess the safety and potential side effects of TRAIL-based cancer therapy.
  • To explore the role of TRAIL in immune homeostasis, infection, autoimmune diseases, and tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic analysis of mice deficient in TRAIL or its murine receptor, TRAIL-R (MK/mDR5).
  • Review of recent studies investigating the TRAIL/TRAIL-R system's functions.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for TRAIL and TRAIL receptor agonists.

Main Results:

  • Studies in TRAIL- and TRAIL-R-deficient mice provide insights into the system's physiological roles.
  • The TRAIL/TRAIL-R system influences immune homeostasis, infection susceptibility, and autoimmune disease development.
  • The role of TRAIL in tumorigenesis remains controversial, requiring further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the TRAIL/TRAIL-R system is essential for developing safe and effective TRAIL-based cancer therapies.
  • Further research and clinical trials are needed to optimize TRAIL-R agonists for cancer treatment.
  • TRAIL-based therapies hold promise, potentially in combination with other anti-cancer agents.

More Related Videos

Multiplex Cytokine Profiling of Stimulated Mouse Splenocytes Using a Cytometric Bead-based Immunoassay Platform11:00

Multiplex Cytokine Profiling of Stimulated Mouse Splenocytes Using a Cytometric Bead-based Immunoassay Platform

Published on: November 9, 2017

Generation of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors and Ex vivo Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cell Cytotoxicity06:16

Generation of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors and Ex vivo Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cell Cytotoxicity

Published on: December 7, 2019

Related Concept Videos

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways01:25

cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways

Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) is an essential second messenger that activates protein kinase A (PKA) and regulates various biological processes. A single epinephrine molecule binds to GPCR and activates several heterotrimeric G proteins, each stimulating multiple adenylyl cyclase, amplifying the signal, and synthesizing large numbers of cAMP molecules. Small changes in cAMP concentration affect PKA activity. The binding of four cAMP molecules induces a conformational change in PKA,...
Intracellular Signaling Cascades01:24

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
Intracellular Signaling Cascades01:24

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...