Alarmins: chemotactic activators of immune responses

JJ Oppenheim, D Yang - Current opinion in immunology, 2005 - Elsevier
JJ Oppenheim, D Yang
Current opinion in immunology, 2005Elsevier
The recruitment and activation of antigen-presenting cells are critical early steps in mounting
an immune response. Many microbial components and endogenous mediators participate in
this process. Recent studies have identified a group of structurally diverse multifunctional
host proteins that are rapidly released following pathogen challenge and/or cell death and,
most importantly, are able to both recruit and activate antigen-presenting cells. These potent
immunostimulants, including defensins, cathelicidin, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and …
The recruitment and activation of antigen-presenting cells are critical early steps in mounting an immune response. Many microbial components and endogenous mediators participate in this process. Recent studies have identified a group of structurally diverse multifunctional host proteins that are rapidly released following pathogen challenge and/or cell death and, most importantly, are able to both recruit and activate antigen-presenting cells. These potent immunostimulants, including defensins, cathelicidin, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and high-mobility group box protein 1, serve as early warning signals to activate innate and adaptive immune systems. We propose to highlight these proteins’ unique activities by grouping them under the novel term ‘alarmins’, in recognition of their role in mobilizing the immune system.
Elsevier