SnapShot: Cytokines III

SnapShot: Interferon Signaling

Interferons (IFNs) are crucial cytokines of antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activity. The three types of IFN (I, II, and III) are classified by their receptor specificity and sequence homology. IFNs are produced and secreted by cells in response to specific stimuli. Here, we review the subsequent IFN signaling events occurring through unique receptors leading to regulation of gen...

SnapShot: Cytokines II

The Novel Coronavirus – A Snapshot of Current Knowledge

Another animal to human transmission of a coronavirus occurred in December 2019 on a live animal market in the Chinese city of Wuhan causing an epidemic in China, reaching now different continents. This minireview summarizes the research literature on the virological, clinical and epidemiological aspects of this epidemic published until end of February 2020.

SnapShot: Cytokines IV

Receptor tyrosine kinases Diverse tissue DCs, other myeloid cells Differentiation and proliferation; synergizes with stem cell factor ↓ = impaired hematopoietic stem cell repopulation and B cell precursors G-CSF GCSFR dimer Macrophages, fibroblasts, other tissues Committed progenitors Differentiation and activation of granulocytes ↓ = neutropenia

SnapShot: Cytokines I

IL-10 IL10R1 and IL10R2 Differentiated T helper cells, Tregs, B cells, dendritic cells, others Macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells, B cells Immune suppression; decreases antigen presentation and MHC class II expression of dendritic cells; downregulates pathogenic Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses ↓ = immune pathology due to uncontrolled inflammation. ↑ = inhibits sterile immunity to some pathogens.