International Reviews of Immunology 

About: International Reviews of Immunology is an academic journal published by Informa. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Immune system & Antigen. It has an ISSN identifier of 0883-0185. Over the lifetime, 1090 publications have been published receiving 38025 citations.

Pathogen Recognition by the Innate Immune System

Abstract: Microbial infection initiates complex interactions between the pathogen and the host. Pathogens express several signature molecules, known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are essential for survival and pathogenicity. PAMPs are sensed by evolutionarily conserved, germline-encoded host sensors known as pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Recognition of PAMPs by PRRs rapidly triggers an array of anti-microbial immune responses through the induction of various inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and type I interferons. These responses also initiate the development of pathogen-specific, long-lasting adaptive immunity through B and T lymphocytes. Several families of PRRs, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and DNA receptors (cytosolic sensors for DNA), are known to play a crucial role in host defense. In this review, we comprehensively review the recent progress in the field of PAMP recognition by PRRs and the signaling pathways activated by PRRs.

Interleukin-1, interleukin-1 receptors and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Abstract: IL-1 (IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta) is the prototypic "multifunctional" cytokine. Unlike the lymphocyte and colony stimulating growth factors, IL-1 affects nearly every cell type, and often in concert with other cytokines or small mediator molecules. Although some lymphocyte and colony stimulating growth factors may be therapeutically useful, IL-1 is a highly inflammatory cytokine and the margin between clinical benefit and unacceptable toxicity in humans is exceedingly narrow. In contrast, agents that reduce the production and/or activity of IL-1 are likely to have an impact on clinical medicine. In support of this concept, there is growing evidence that the production and activity of IL-1, particularly IL-1 beta, are tightly regulated events as if nature has placed specific "road blocks" to reduce the response to IL-1 during disease. In addition to controlling gene expression, synthesis and secretion, this regulation extends to surface receptors, soluble receptors and a receptor antagonist. Investigators have studied how production of the different members of the IL-1 family is controlled, the various biological activities of IL-1, the distinct and various functions of the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) family and the complexity of intracellular signaling. Mice deficient in IL-1 beta, IL-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) and IL-1R type I have also been studied. Humans have been injected with IL-1 (either IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta) for enhancing bone marrow recovery and for cancer treatment. The IL-1 specific receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) has also been tested in clinical trials.

Interleukin 6 and its receptor: ten years later.

Abstract: Ten years have passed since the molecular cloning of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in 1986. IL-6 is a typical cytokine, exhibiting functional pleiotropy and redundancy. IL-6 is involved in the immune response, inflammation, and hematopoiesis. The IL-6 receptor consists of an IL-6 binding alpha chain and a signal transducer, gp130, which is shared among the receptors for the IL-6 related cytokine subfamily. The sharing of a receptor subunit is a general feature of cytokine receptors and provides the molecular basis for the functional redundancy of cytokines. JAK tyrosine kinase is a key molecule that can initiate multiple signal-transduction pathways by inducing the tyrosine-phosphorylation of the cytokine receptor, gp130 in the case of IL-6, on which several signaling molecules are recruited, including STAT, a signal transducer and activator of transcription, and SHP-2, which links to the Ras-MAP kinase pathway. JAK can also directly activate signaling molecules such as STAT and Tec. These multiple signal-transduction pathways intimately regulate the expression of several genes including c-myc, c-myb, junB, IRF1, egr-1, and bcl-2, leading to the induction of cell growth, differentiation, and survival. The deregulated expression of IL-6 and its receptor is involved in a variety of diseases.

Human Antibodies from Transgenic Mice

Abstract: We have used homologous recombination in ES cells to engineer B cell-deficient mice that are incapable of expressing endogenous immunoglobulin heavy and kappa light chain genes. We find that B cell development in these mutant mice can be rescued by the introduction of human germline-configuration heavy- and kappa light-chain minilocus transgenes. The transgenes rearrange during B cell differentiation, and subsequently undergo class switching and somatic mutation in response to antigen stimulation; thus recapitulating both stages of the humoral immune response using human, rather than mouse, sequences. The mice can be immunized; and human sequence, antigen specific, monoclonal antibodies can be obtained using conventional rodent hybridoma technology. These animals are also of interest for studying the normal processes of immunoglobulin gene expression. We discuss the example of heavy chain class switching, which has not been previously observed within an autonomous transgene.

Reactive oxygen species in the immune system.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a group of highly reactive chemicals containing oxygen produced either exogenously or endogenously. ROS are related to a wide variety of human disorders, such as chronic inflammation, age-related diseases and cancers. Besides, ROS are also essential for various biological functions, including cell survival, cell growth, proliferation and differentiation, and immune response. At present there are a number of excellent publications including some reviews about functions of these molecules either in normal cell biology or in pathophysiology. In this work, we reviewed available information and recent advances about ROS in the main immune cell types and gave summary about functions of these highly reactive molecules both in innate immunity as conservative defense mechanisms and in essential immune cells involved in adaptive immunity, and particularly in immune suppression.