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Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Stimulation of Cytoplasmic DNA Sensing Pathways In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: September 18, 2014
Does a quorum sensing mechanism direct the behavior of immune cells?
Leïla Perié1, Juhan Aru, Philippe Kourilsky
1Collège de France, Chair of molecular immunology, 11, place Marcelin-Berthelot, 75005 Paris, France. perie.leila@gmail.com
Abstract:
Quorum sensing is a decision-making process used by decentralized groups such as colonies of bacteria to trigger a coordinated behavior. The existence of decentralized coordinated behavior has also been suggested in the immune system. In this paper, we explore the possibility for quorum sensing mechanisms in the immune response. Cytokines are good candidates as inducer of quorum sensing effects on migration, proliferation and differentiation of immune cells. The existence of a quorum sensing mechanism should be explored experimentally. It may provide new perspectives into immune responses and could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
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