Immunologic activation

In immunology, activation is the transition of leucocytes and other cell types involved in the immune system. On the other hand, deactivation is the transition in the reverse direction. This balance is tightly regulated, since a too small degree of activation causes susceptibility to infections, while, on the other hand, a too large degree of activation causes autoimmune diseases.

Factors

Activation and deactivation results from a variety of factors, including cytokines, soluble receptors, arachidonic acid metabolites, steroids, receptor antagonists, adhesion molecules, bacterial products and viral products.

Overview of activating and deactivating factors.
Activation Deactivation
Cytokines
Soluble receptors
Arachidonic acid metabolites
Steroids
Receptor antagonists
  • IL-1Ra
Adhesion molecules
Bacterial products
Viral products
  • BCRF1 (IL-10-homologue)
  • T2 (sTNFR-homologue)
  • M-T7 (sINF-γR-homologue)

See also

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