Do we have memory of danger as well as antigen?

作者：Noble Alistair^*

来源：Trends in Immunology, 2009, 30(4): 150-156.

DOI：10.1016/j.it.2009.02.001

Recognition of specific protein antigens leads to immunological memory of antigen, whereas recognition of danger signals by the innate immune system determines the size, nature and longevity of a response. Recent data indicate that recognition of danger might have long-lasting effects on CD8 memory T-cell populations, specifically enhancing early cytokine release and thus altering the nature of subsequent immune responses. Here, a modified model of immune regulation is proposed in which a nonspecific immunological memory of danger accumulates during maturation of the immune system, allowing more potent cell-mediated immunity to develop in dangerous environments. Such a mechanism could be involved in phenomena leading to the 'hygiene hypothesis'.

• 出版日期2009-4