Links between innate and adaptive immunity via type I interferon.
Type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) is expressed rapidly following exposure to a wide variety of infectious agents and plays a key role in innate control of virus replication. Recent studies have demonstrated that dendritic cells both produce IFN-alpha/beta and undergo maturation in response to IFN-alpha/beta. Moreover, IFN-alpha/beta has been shown to potently enhance immune responses in vivo through the stimulation of dendritic cells. These findings indicate that IFN-alpha/beta serves as a signal linking innate and adaptive immunity.
Le Bon
Agnes
A
The Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, UK. agnes.lebon@jenner.ac.uk
Tough
David F
DF
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018448:Models, Immunological
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007370:Interferon Type I