Interactions between several tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily members that are expressed by T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and various other cell types modulate immune responses. This review summarizes the current understanding of how the TNF ligand-TNFR interactions 4-1BBL with 4-1BB, and GITRL with glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related (GITR) regulate NK cell m...

Members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily are crucially involved in the regulation of T cell activation, homeostasis and cytotoxicity. In particular, Fas ligand (FasL), expressed by activated T lymphocytes, induces cell-mediated cytotoxicity and may also be responsible for apoptotic suicide. Tight regulation of this death-inducing ligand is a prerequisite for proper immune defense ...

Despite their elevated immunogenicity, melanoma lesions often escape immunosurveillance. We have recently demonstrated that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) accumulating within melanomas are prompted to express tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 4 (TNFSF4, best known as OX40L) and inducible T-cell co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL), hence becoming able to trigger TH2 and regulatory...

The discovery of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/RANK/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system and its role in the regulation of bone resorption exemplifies how both serendipity and a logic-based approach can identify factors that regulate cell function. Before this discovery in the mid to late 1990s, it had long been recognized that osteoclast formation was regulated by fact...

B cell activating factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member best known for its role in the survival and maturation of B cells. BAFF is a ligand for three TNF receptor superfamily members: B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI), and BAFF receptor...

Introduction OX40, a member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor superfamily is a potent co-stimulatory molecule. OX40 engagement increases T cell proliferation, effector function and survival. Pre-clinical studies have shown that OX40 agonist synergizes with radiation and cyclophosphamide to increase survival. A phase I clinical trial has shown that anti-OX40 mAb was well tolerated and induce...