Shed effectors

Fig. 7.1 Phases of tissue transplant rejection. The transplanted tissue sheds antigens. These antigens undergo uptake, processing and presentation to the T cells in the secondary lymphoid tissue by APCs, which include macrophages, B cells, Langerhans cells or dendritic cells. This phase results in the production of antibodies and antigen-specific TH and Tc cells. The antibodies and effector cells then migrate to the grafted tissue where TH cells secrete cytokines and which in combination with the antibodies and Tc cells destroy the grafted tissue (see Color Insert)...

While the current structural and functional studies have shed lights on the molecular mechanisms of post-receptor signal transduction by the TNFR superfamUy, many important questions remain. One such question is the structural basis for the formation of death receptor signaling complexes, involving DD-DD and DED-DED interactions. Another question is the molecular basis of TRAP downstream signaling. Does it involve oligomerization and proximity induced activation of down-stream effectors, or conformational modulations Because of the importance of the TNFR superfamily in human disease, an ultimate question lies on the translation of structural and functional studies into therapeutic applications. 

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