Immune receptor recognition of antigen/MHC complexes is a key event that determines the outcome of lymphocyte activation and largely the fate of immune responses. Co-receptors and costimulatory molecules coordinate with the immune receptors to amplify and transduce the signals initially triggered by at the cell surface, but equally important are the molecular mechanisms that control and terminate activation responses.
A very fine line separates activation-mediated clonal expansion from cell death by apoptosis at all stages of lymphocyte development. The amplitude of stimulation is tuned by the action of modulatory receptors and associated regulatory molecules that keep activation levels within strict limits or that can collectively contribute to the termination of activation upon resolution of the given immune challenge. Acquisition of effector functions is continuously modulated by a variety of receptors and signaling pathways which balance quiescent, activated and exhausted phenotypes as well as cytolytic activity and cytokine production patterns. Inhibitory signaling molecules can function as receptors, effectors of receptors, or signaling regulators that integrate multiple inputs to modulate immune cell activation states.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Review, Mini-Review, Opinion and General Commentary articles by researchers working on different inhibitory molecules and pathways of T and B lymphocytes and of NK cells. We welcome articles that discuss relevant molecular and cellular experimental systems and also models of disease, including infection, inflammation and cancer. Collectively this Research Topic aims to inform present and future work towards developing therapeutic strategies targeting inhibitory receptors and signaling molecules.
Immune receptor recognition of antigen/MHC complexes is a key event that determines the outcome of lymphocyte activation and largely the fate of immune responses. Co-receptors and costimulatory molecules coordinate with the immune receptors to amplify and transduce the signals initially triggered by at the cell surface, but equally important are the molecular mechanisms that control and terminate activation responses.
A very fine line separates activation-mediated clonal expansion from cell death by apoptosis at all stages of lymphocyte development. The amplitude of stimulation is tuned by the action of modulatory receptors and associated regulatory molecules that keep activation levels within strict limits or that can collectively contribute to the termination of activation upon resolution of the given immune challenge. Acquisition of effector functions is continuously modulated by a variety of receptors and signaling pathways which balance quiescent, activated and exhausted phenotypes as well as cytolytic activity and cytokine production patterns. Inhibitory signaling molecules can function as receptors, effectors of receptors, or signaling regulators that integrate multiple inputs to modulate immune cell activation states.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Review, Mini-Review, Opinion and General Commentary articles by researchers working on different inhibitory molecules and pathways of T and B lymphocytes and of NK cells. We welcome articles that discuss relevant molecular and cellular experimental systems and also models of disease, including infection, inflammation and cancer. Collectively this Research Topic aims to inform present and future work towards developing therapeutic strategies targeting inhibitory receptors and signaling molecules.
