In Allergology International (AI) Vol.59 No.2, we have 6 Review Articles, 9 Original Articles and 1 Letter to Editor article. AI is publishing theme issues that include reviews in important fields of current research activity written by eminent experts. The theme of this issue is "Danger Signals and IL-1 Family".
Alarmin augments allergenicity and alerts the immune system.
It has been proposed for a long time that immune reaction is initiated only when non-self components invade us. However, recent evidences indicate that alarmin also plays an important role in initiating the immune reaction.
Toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors are known to detect invading pathogenic microbes as non-self antigens. These receptors also sense alarmin (nonmicrobial danger signals) and form large cytoplasmic complexes called inflammasome that activates the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 family, IL-1β and IL-18. In the presence of...more

