Lymphocyte Receptor Pathways

Abstract

The two types of lymphocytes, B and T, which are, respectively, responsible for humoral and cell-mediated immunity, express membrane receptors in relation to their immune functions: their task involves antigen recognition and elaboration of appropriate responses. Toward a multitude of possible antigens, a huge diversity in recognition structures is necessary: it is represented by the membrane immunoglobulins in charge of their binding. Contrasting to this diversity is the relative uniformity of receptor-associated proteins that are in charge of the elaboration of the response and are bound to the receptor itself by non-covalent bonds. Downstream the receptor complex, several pathways that have been studied in other chapters may be implemented to regulate lymphocyte proliferation and migration; they mainly involve the activation of cytoplasmic kinases, the generation of second messengers and the activation of small G-proteins.

We cannot summarise all immunology in a single chapter, but only extract some information related to the modalities of lymphocyte signalling, from receptors to effectors, trying to identify the features that cancer cells can utilise to reach their own goals and how these features can serve as potential targets for anticancer treatments.