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Running to stand still: BCR-like signaling suppresses type I IFN responses in pDC

Melissa K Swiecki1, Marco Colonna

  • 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis MO 63110, USA.

European Journal of Immunology
|December 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) typically produce type I interferon (IFN). New research reveals a B cell receptor (BCR)-like pathway in pDCs that actually suppresses this crucial IFN production.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are key producers of type I interferon (IFN).
  • The regulatory pathways governing pDC type I IFN responses are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate novel signaling cascades that modulate type I IFN production in pDCs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of B cell receptor (BCR)-like signaling pathways.
  • Assessment of type I IFN production in pDCs.

Main Results:

  • A BCR-like signaling cascade was identified in pDCs.
  • This cascade was found to suppress type I IFN production.

Conclusions:

  • pDCs possess an intrinsic regulatory mechanism involving BCR-like signaling.
  • This pathway acts as a negative regulator of type I IFN production in pDCs.

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