Lymphocytes: Antigen‐induced Gene Activation

Gabriel Criado, Robarts Research Institute and The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
Joaquín Madrenas, Robarts Research Institute and The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Published online: September 2005

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0004033

Lymphocytes are activated upon antigen recognition by their clone-specific surface antigen receptors. Lymphocyte activation includes multiple signalling cascades that converge in the cell nucleus to cause significant changes in the pattern of gene expression that determine the phenotype of activated lymphocytes and ultimately, the type of immune response.

Keywords: antigen receptor; lymphocyte activation; signal transduction; transcription factors; cytokines

Figure 1. Antigen-induced lymphocyte activation: the two-signal paradigm. Four major steps take place in lymphocyte activation: antigen recognition and formation of receptor oligomers; activation of signalling pathways; activation and translocation of transcription factors; and changes in gene expression that characterize activated lymphocytes. In addition, activation of some of the signalling pathways has effects in many other cell processes. For details on specific aspects of T- and B-cell activation, see text.
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Related Sub-Topics:

Acquired (Adaptive) Immunity | Cells of the Immune System | Intracellular and Extracellular Signalling
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Article Title: Lymphocytes: Antigen‐induced Gene Activation
 
How to Cite close
Criado, Gabriel, and Madrenas, Joaquín(Sep 2005) Lymphocytes: Antigen‐induced Gene Activation. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0004033]