Neuronal semaphorins regulate a primary immune response.
Semaphorins are involved in a wide range of biological processes, including axon guidance, neuronal migration, angiogenesis, cardio- and osteo-genesis. Recently they have also been found to be important for immune response. Sema3A reduces the activation of T cells through its cell-surface receptors, including members of the neuropilin and plexin families. By contrast, Sema4D (CD100), which is expressed on the surface of T, B and dendritic cells, increases B cell and dendritic cell function using either plexin B1 or CD72 as receptors. The transmembrane protein Sema4A is involved in the activation of immune cells through interactions with Tim-2. Emerging evidence also indicates that additional semaphorins and related molecules seem to function in the reciprocal stimulation of T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This paper discusses the functions of these semaphorins in the immune system, focusing on their roles in T cell-APC interactions.
Moretti
Simona
S
Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
Procopio
Antonio
A
Boemi
Massimo
M
Catalano
Alfonso
A
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000276:immunology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000276:immunology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology*; D040121:Semaphorin-3A / Q000276:immunology; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; C093224:CD100 antigen; D040121:Semaphorin-3A; D039961:Semaphorins