深入認(rèn)識感染可能有助于科學(xué)家們理解過敏癥和開發(fā)新的治療方法,。在一項新研究中,，英國愛丁堡大學(xué)研究人員對免疫系統(tǒng)的研究揭示出一種參與身體對諸如花粉或?qū)櫸锩l(fā)之類的過敏原產(chǎn)生的免疫反應(yīng)的細(xì)胞所發(fā)揮的作用。這種細(xì)胞被稱作樹突細(xì)胞,，已知它起著協(xié)調(diào)身體對感染產(chǎn)生免疫反應(yīng)的作用,。它是通過讓免疫系統(tǒng)激活抵抗感染的白細(xì)胞來發(fā)揮功能的。
研究人員證實當(dāng)身體免疫反應(yīng)過于活躍且可能造成傷害時,，樹突細(xì)胞也能夠在抑制這種免疫反應(yīng)中發(fā)揮著作用,。事實上，它們能夠作為免疫系統(tǒng)的調(diào)節(jié)者發(fā)揮作用,，有助于抑制免疫系統(tǒng),。
當(dāng)免疫系統(tǒng)對過敏原作出過度反應(yīng)時，過敏反應(yīng)就會產(chǎn)生,。研究人員說,，他們的發(fā)現(xiàn)讓人們對參與過敏反應(yīng)的免疫反應(yīng)類型產(chǎn)生新的認(rèn)識。
研究人員通過在小鼠體內(nèi)和實驗室測試中研究免疫反應(yīng)而證實了上述發(fā)現(xiàn),。他們說，它有助于解釋身體如何控制抵御感染的戰(zhàn)斗和如何尋求恢復(fù)穩(wěn)定,，而且它可能讓人們能夠控制在過敏反應(yīng)中發(fā)現(xiàn)的炎癥,。(生物谷：Bioon.com)
本文編譯自Findings could keep allergies in check
doi: 10.1073/pnas.1121231109
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Alternatively activated dendritic cells regulate CD4+ T-cell polarization in vitro and in vivo
Peter C. Cooka,1, Lucy H. Jonesa,1, Stephen J. Jenkinsa, Thomas A. Wynnb, Judith E. Allena, and Andrew S. MacDonald
Interleukin-4 is a cytokine widely known for its role in CD4+ T cell polarization and its ability to alternatively activate macrophage populations. In contrast, the impact of IL-4 on the activation and function of dendritic cells (DCs) is poorly understood. We report here that DCs respond to IL-4 both in vitro and in vivo by expression of multiple alternative activation markers with a different expression pattern to that of macrophages. We further demonstrate a central role for DC IL-4Rα expression in the optimal induction of IFNγ responses in vivo in both Th1 and Th2 settings, through a feedback loop in which IL-4 promotes DC secretion of IL-12. Finally, we reveal a central role for RELMα during T-cell priming, establishing that its expression by DCs is critical for optimal IL-10 and IL-13 promotion in vitro and in vivo. Together, these data highlight the significant impact that IL-4 and RELMα can have on DC activation and function in the context of either bacterial or helminth pathogens.
