Diverse roles for semaphorin-plexin signaling in the immune system

• Autores: Hyota Takamatsu, Atsushi Kumanogoh
• Localización: Trends in immunology, ISSN 1471-4906, Vol. 33, Nº. 3, 2012, págs. 127-135
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Semaphorins were originally identified as axon guidance factors involved in the development of the neuronal system. However, accumulating evidence indicates that several semaphorins, so-called �immune semaphorins�, are crucially involved in various phases of both physiological and pathological immune responses; some regulate immune cell activation or differentiation, whereas others navigate the trafficking of immune cells. Plexin family members are one of the most representative semaphorin receptors and the semaphorin�plexin complex structures were recently determined in crystallization studies. Here, we review the rapidly emerging functions of semaphorins and their receptors in the immune system.