title: Highlights of the advances in basic immunology in 2011.
abstract: In this review, we summarize the major fundamental advances in immunological research reported in 2011. The highlights focus on the improved understanding of key questions in basic immunology, including the initiation and activation of innate responses as well as mechanisms for the development and function of various T-cell subsets. The research includes the identification of novel cytosolic RNA and DNA sensors as well as the identification of the novel regulators of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) signaling pathway. Moreover, remarkable advances have been made in the developmental and functional properties of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Helper T cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells play indispensable roles in orchestrating adaptive immunity. There have been exciting discoveries regarding the regulatory mechanisms of the development of distinct T-cell subsets, particularly Th17 cells and Treg cells. The emerging roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in T cell immunity are discussed, as is the recent identification of a novel T-cell subset referred to as follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells.
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology and Institute of Immunology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. liujuan.0405@163.com
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shuxun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xuetao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000235:genetics; D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000639:trends; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000276:immunology; D012106:Research; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors