Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) - Volume 2, Issue 1, 2006

One of the most challenging tasks in biomedical research is keeping up with the immense literature in immunology. Recent years have shown that the traditional definition of immunology is no longer sufficient to encompass the relevant areas of study, making the task even more difficult, especially to the new investigator. Many (indeed it may be argued all) of the greatest recent advances in cellular immunology have com Read More

The transcriptional coactivator BOB.1/OBF.1 binds as a ternary complex with the transcription factors Oct-1 and Oct-2 to DNA and induces octamer-dependent transcription. BOB.1/OBF.1 was shown to be necessary at multiple stages of B cell development, in the bone marrow as well as at late stages in secondary lymphoid organs. Bone marrow B cells from BOB.1/OBF.1-deficient mice show increased apoptosis accompanied wit Read More

Aeromonas species are emerging human pathogens, which produce an array of virulence factors and cause diseases ranging from gastroenteritis to systemic infections. These bacteria can be found in food and water and grow well and produce toxins at refrigeration temperatures, which greatly increase the risk of food poisoning. A detailed understanding of host responses to Aeromonas virulence factors is paramount to Read More

The CNS and immune system interact in a reciprocal manner through a wide variety of common mediators including neurotransmitters and cytokines. Among the former, serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine = 5-HT) plays a major role in the control of neuronal activity. It may also control the level of cytokines and lymphocyte proliferation. 5-HT is synthesized and released in the circulation by enterochromaffin cells from gastri Read More

Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms through which T cells are activated have led to new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of immunological disorders. An emerging target for selective immune intervention has been the manipulation of T cell costimulatory pathways. Impressive results in animal models have shown that the tumor-necrosis-factor receptor (TNFR) family member, OX40 (CD13 Read More

Statins, which are mainly used for treatment of hypercholesterolemia because of their lipid-lowering effects, may also display many immunomodulatory properties. Statins interfere in the mevalonate pathway through inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity and thereby affect isoprenylation of proteins and cholesterol biosynthesis. Besides lowering blood cholesterol levels, statins inhibit the production of pro-infl Read More

The recent years have brought breathtaking advances in the biomedical sciences and biomedical engineering. These advances offer the promise that diseases responsible for most disability and early death may soon be addressed by replacing damaged organs with bio-engineered substitutes. Application of these technologies, however, is impeded by the immune response directed against foreign cells and tissues. Here we cons Read More

T-cells are thought to play important roles in the coordination and development of immune responses in both health and disease. A key checkpoint in the prevention of inappropriate activation of T-cells is the requirement for costimulation by professional APCs via receptors such as CD28. Several in vivo and in vitro methods of experimental anergy induction have been developed and are in popular use today. However, the Read More

Sphingolipids have lately been recognized as important signaling molecules with an unexpected multitude of actions and mechanisms. While we are currently just uncovering the tip of the iceberg, the available data give us an unprecedented understanding of how membrane rearrangements translate into the generation of intracellular lipid signaling molecules and further into secreted bioactive lipids. Furthermore, new concep Read More