Immune system cells and pathways

The immune system cells and pathways encompass the collective network of specialized cells, tissues, and molecular signaling cascades that maintain host homeostasis and defend against pathogens. This system includes innate components like macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as adaptive components like T and B lymphocytes, which are regulated by intricate pathways such as the JAK-STAT, NF-kB, and Toll-like receptor signaling systems (StatPearls, 2023). Because this entry refers to an entire biological system rather than a specific protein or receptor, it is classified as a broad therapeutic category rather than a single drug target. Dysfunction within these pathways is a primary driver of autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and the ability of tumors to evade immune surveillance (NIH, 2024). Therapeutic strategies targeting this system are diverse, involving the use of monoclonal antibodies to block inflammatory cytokines, small molecules to inhibit intracellular signaling, and checkpoint inhibitors to re-engage the immune response against cancer (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2022).

Other names

Immune systemImmunological signaling pathwaysLeukocytes and immune mediatorsImmune response pathways

Diverse mechanisms including cytokine neutralization, immune checkpoint blockade, lymphocyte depletion, and intracellular signaling inhibition.