Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Science, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Apr;1194:1-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05465.x.
The peripheral immune system can promote either immunity or tolerance when presented with new antigens. Current knowledge withholds that populations of suppressor or regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells) constitute a pivotal mechanism of immunological tolerance. The potential role of malfunctioning T(reg) cells in chronic inflammatory immune and auto-immune diseases is well-documented. Learning how to successfully manipulate T(reg) responses could result in more effective vaccines and immunomodulators. We have already shown that Thymosin alpha1 (Talpha1), a naturally occurring thymic peptide first described and characterized by Allan Goldstein in 1972, by modulating signals delivered through innate immune receptors on dendritic cells, affects adaptive immune responses via modulation of Th cell effector and regulatory functions. We will discuss recent molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of Talpha1 to activate or inhibit immune responses.
当遇到新抗原时，外周免疫系统可以促进免疫或耐受。目前的知识表明，抑制性或调节性 T 细胞（Treg 细胞）群体构成了免疫耐受的关键机制。功能失调的 Treg 细胞在慢性炎症性免疫和自身免疫性疾病中的潜在作用已有充分记录。了解如何成功地操纵 Treg 反应可能会导致更有效的疫苗和免疫调节剂。我们已经表明，胸腺肽 alpha1（Talpha1），一种天然存在的胸腺肽，由 Allan Goldstein 于 1972 年首次描述和表征，通过调节树突状细胞上固有免疫受体传递的信号，通过调节 Th 细胞效应和调节功能来影响适应性免疫反应。我们将讨论 Talpha1 激活或抑制免疫反应的能力的最新分子机制。
