When it comes to decisions, myeloid progenitors crave positive feedback.
Positive feedback is a ubiquitous feature of networks that establish and maintain cellular decisions. In this issue of Cell, Laslo et al. (2006) demonstrate how a feedback loop comprised of two mutual repressors regulates the differentiation of myeloid progenitors into either macrophages or neutrophils.
Muzzey
Dale
D
Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 02139, USA.
van Oudenaarden
Alexander
A
D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D023461:Myeloid Progenitor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology