Regulation of interferon-gamma receptor (INF-gammaR) chains: a peculiar way to rule the life and death of human lymphocytes.
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a lymphokine produced by activated T lymphocytes and NK cells, that plays an important role in host defense mechanisms by exerting pleiotropic activities on a wide range of cell types. Cellular responses to IFN-gamma are mediated by its heterodimeric cell surface receptor (IFN-gammaR), which activates downstream signal transduction cascades, ultimately leading to the regulation of gene expression. Several observations suggest that the signals resulting from the binding of IFN-gamma to its receptor depend on the number of surface receptors transducing the IFN-gamma signal. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of the fine regulation of the response of human lymphocytes to IFN-gamma through an interplay between surface expression of IFN-gammaR and a variety of environmental factors that combine to control their fate.
Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università di Torino, Ospedale S. Luigi Gonzaga, 10043 Orbassano, Torino, Italy.
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Bernabei
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Allione
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L
Rigamonti
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M
Bosticardo
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Losana
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Borghi
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Forni
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Novelli
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor
D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor