Modes of cell:cell communication in the immune system.
Different cell types in the immune system appear to mediate their effects by markedly different means. B lymphocytes couple information for specificity with information for function in a single long-range molecule, antibody. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T cells, which we have analyzed in detail, appear to recognize antigen only on the surface of cells bearing the appropriate MHC gene product. This interaction provokes the T cell to release short-range, non-antigen-specific mediators (lymphokines) that preferentially act on the target cell bearing the antigen and stimulating the T cell. Regulatory T cells appear to make antigen-specific long-range molecules that, like antibody, combine specificity with information for function. However, unlike antibody molecules, these regulatory T cell products display recognition for particular target cells in the form of genetic restrictions. These behaviors are compared to strategies of cell:cell communication in the nervous system.
Janeway
C A
CA
Bottomly
K
K
Horowitz
J
J
Kaye
J
J
Jones
B
B
Tite
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell