PW03-031 – Activation-induced cell death of human monocytes

Introduction Monocytes are circulating cells with high plasticity. They respond to various stimuli with distinct activation and differentiation patterns, are able to secrete several humoral factors and they contribute to inflammation in the immune system, either by governing host defense response to invading pathogens or driving reactions to selfmolecules in conditions of tissue-damage. Control of these mechanisms is necessary to ensure the self-limitation of inflammatory reactions and avoid perpetuated autoinflammation or autoimmunity. This aspect of immunoregulation is crucial and has been mainly associated with adaptive immunity. To date it is unclear how activated monocytes can regulate early cytokine signals promoting their survival or cell death.