1. Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2016.131
Figure 1 Immune balance: autoimmunity versus cancer, and the role of immune checkpoints
Figure 1 | Immune balance: autoimmunity versus cancer, and the role of immune checkpoints. The immune system is suppressed by immune checkpoint signalling mediated by inhibitory receptors and, in the setting of cancer, increased checkpoint signalling contributes to the failure of cytotoxic T cells to kill tumour cells (part a). Checkpoint-blocking therapies for cancer target inhibitory receptors to block their function, which releases the brake and promotes the activation of cytotoxic T cells so that they can kill tumour cells (part b). During health, immune responses are balanced to prevent damage to self, while being aggressive enough to eliminate pathogens and tumours (part c). Promoting inhibitory receptor signalling can dampen inflammation and have beneficial effects on processes involved in autoimmune diseases (parts d and e). NET, neutrophil extracellular trap; pDC, plasmacytoid dendritic cell.
van der Vlist, M. et al. (2016) Immune checkpoints and rheumatic diseases: what can cancer immunotherapy teach us?
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