Cellular immune network via multicellular receptor–ligand cross-talk and secreted soluble factors

The term 'Cellular immune network via multicellular receptor–ligand cross-talk and secreted soluble factors' refers to the complex, integrated system of communication between various immune and non-immune cells. This network is mediated by the interaction of membrane-bound receptors with their specific ligands and the release of soluble factors such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors (Efremova et al., 2020, Nature Protocols). It is not a single molecular target but rather a conceptual framework describing the immune interactome, which is essential for coordinating responses to pathogens and maintaining tissue homeostasis (Armingol et al., 2021, Nature Reviews Genetics). In pathological states like cancer, this network can be dysregulated to create an immunosuppressive microenvironment, while in autoimmune diseases, it may facilitate chronic inflammatory signaling. Because this network involves hundreds of distinct molecular components, therapeutic strategies do not target the network as a whole but instead focus on specific nodes, such as individual checkpoint receptors or pro-inflammatory cytokines, to modulate the broader immune landscape.

Other names

Immune interactomeCell-cell communication networkLigand-receptor signaling networkImmune signaling landscape

Not applicable as this refers to a complex biological network rather than a single molecular target.