CD27 and (TNFR) relatives in the immune system: their role in health and disease

Relatives of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family are proving of crucial importance for an effective immune response as well as maintenance of homeostasis. The reviews in this issue summarise accumulating evidence for an emerging intricate interplay between these receptors themselves and with the CD28 pathway. It is hypothesised, that the lesser known CD27 receptor may overlap and synergise with CD40 and other relatives and may regulate the T-cell mediated activation cascade and control lymphocyte expansion by facilitating maturation and cell cycle progression. The diagnostic and prognostic value of the occurrence of these receptors and their soluble forms is becoming increasingly apparent, and recent data may herald new strategies for T cell manipulation via combinations of these receptors to ameliorate or prevent immune disease, coronary heart disease, transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease, viral infections, and to promote tumor eradication.