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Interleukin-1 receptor 8 (IL-1R8), a negative regulator of the IL-1 family of cytokines, restrains the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, suggesting that IL-1R8 acts as a checkpoint regulator of NK cell activation and that its blockade may be of use in cancer therapy.

Stravalaci et al. examined recognition of SARS-CoV-2 by human soluble innate pattern recognition receptor. They report that pentraxin 3 and mannose-binding protein recognize viral nucleoprotein and spike, respectively. Mannose-binding lectin has antiviral activity, and human genetic polymorphisms of MBL2 are associated with more severe COVID-19.

Serum Amyloid P is a humoral component with established roles in the response to bacterial infection and regulation of tissue remodeling. Here the authors provide evidence to a further crucial role of serum amyloid P in the context of fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus.

Magrini et. al. study sarcoma development and antitumor immune response in complement-deficient murine hosts, demonstrating a role for the C3a–C3aR axis in promoting immunosuppressive macrophages.

The membrane tetraspan protein MS4A4A is expressed on tissue-resident and tumor-associated macrophages. Locati and colleagues show that MS4A4A colocalizes with the β-glucan receptor dectin-1 to enhance cytokine and reactive oxygen species production and to enhance NK cell–mediated control of tumor metastasis.

Platelets and phagocytes engage in bidirectional interaction in innate immunity and inflammation. Kupffer cell–platelet cooperation results in the rapid encasement of blood-borne bacteria and host protection.

Cancer can be defined by six hallmarks, including uncontrollable growth, immortality and the ability to invade other tissues. Increasing evidence suggests that a seventh feature should make this list — inflammation.

Signals induced by sex hormones and inflammation have been viewed as different aspects of tumour development. But a three-way interaction between these two classes of signal and carcinogenesis has emerged.

Diseases preventable by underused vaccines cause the death of approximately 3 million children per year. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) was launched 10 years ago to tackle this appalling situation.

Leukocytes enter inflamed tissues by initiating selectin-dependent rolling on reactive endothelia. Mantovani and colleagues show that the long pentraxin PTX3 competes for P-selectin and acts to limit neutrophil extravasation.

This Review provides an overview of the multiple functions of neutrophils in the immune system. Although classically considered simply as 'first responders', it is now clear that neutrophils contribute to the activation and polarization of numerous cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems and are important players in the pathogenesis of many diseases.

Mantovani and colleagues report elevated circulating concentrations of the long pentraxin PTX3 in patients with severe COVID-19. Within this cohort, early detection of high PTX3 concentrations emerged as a strong predictor of decreased survival.

Inflammation is an important component of the tumor microenvironment; however, the mechanisms through which immune cells might promote tumorigenesis are unclear. A recent study indicates that B cells and antibodies have a key role in orchestrating macrophage-driven, tumor-promoting inflammation, suggesting that modulating the pathways involved might be of therapeutic benefit in cancers driven by chronic inflammation.

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key drivers of tumour-promoting inflammation and cancer progression, and are important determinants of responsiveness to a range of therapies. Herein, the authors summarize the roles of TAMs in cancer, and discuss the potential of TAM-targeted therapeutic strategies to complement and synergize with other anticancer treatments.

Fine tuning of immunity is achieved through numerous mechanisms: chemokine sequestration by non-signalling chemokine 'decoy' receptors is one example. This Review describes the chemokine decoy receptors that have evolved in both humans and viruses to elude chemokine activities and divert leukocyte recruitment.

Macrophages can promote tumorigenesis and enhance the antitumour response. This Review discusses the molecular mechanisms underlying the reprogramming of macrophages in the tumour microenvironment and provides an overview of macrophage-targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer.

This Review discusses the emerging dual role played by neutrophils in the tumour microenvironment as part of tumour-promoting inflammation, while also mediating antitumour immune responses, and suggests that neutrophil function could be manipulated in myeloid cell-based therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes.

This Review focuses on how the complement cascade can both promote and inhibit antitumour immune responses. The authors discuss the potential of targeting complement components for immunotherapeutic purposes in patients with cancer.

Macrophages, which have roles in the pathogenesis and resolution of rheumatoid arthritis, consist of a heterogeneous population of cells with different origins and functions. This Review describes these properties, and considers the potential for therapeutic targeting of specific macrophage subtypes.