Pathway: Calcineurin activates NFAT
Reactions in pathway: Calcineurin activates NFAT :
Calcineurin activates NFAT
Signaling by the B cell receptor and the T cell receptor stimulate transcription by NFAT factors via calcium (reviewed in Gwack et al. 2007). Cytosolic calcium from intracellular stores and extracellular sources binds calmodulin and activates the protein phosphatase calcineurin. Activated calcineurin dephosphorylates NFATs in the cytosol, exposing nuclear localization sequences on the NFATs and causing the NFATs to be imported into the nucleus where they regulate transcription of target genes in complexes with other transcription factors such as AP-1 and JUN. Calcineurin in the target of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and FK-506 (reviewed in Lee and Park 2006).
Adaptive immunity refers to antigen-specific immune response efficiently involved in clearing the pathogens. The adaptive immune system is comprised of B and T lymphocytes that express receptors with remarkable diversity tailored to recognize aspects of particular pathogens or antigens. During infection, dendritic cells (DC) which act as sentinels in the peripheral tissues recognize and pick up the pathogen in the form of antigenic determinants and then process these antigens and present them to T cells. These T cells of appropriate specificity respond to the antigen, and either kill the pathogen directly or secrete cytokines that will stimulate B lymphocyte response. B cells provide humoral immunity by secreting antibodies specific for the pathogen or antigen.
Humans are exposed to millions of potential pathogens daily, through contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Our ability to avoid infection depends on the adaptive immune system and during the first critical hours and days of exposure to a new pathogen, our innate immune system.