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| | Robustness of Cytokine Signalling Networks (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-08) |
 | | A specific example of robust cell signalling networks are the cytokine signalling networks, which we propose to study in the context of the immune system (cytokine signaling systems are likely also crucial in other parts of the body as well). |
 | | Each immune cell (e.g., a B-cell, T-cell, etc.) in the body (an estimated such cells are present at any given time) responds to a host of signalling molecules, called cytokines, which bind on the cell surface, stimulating a cascade of events within the cell. |
 | | Molecular intercellular signalling via cytokines plays a large role in controlling individual effectors, affecting: differentiation of naive cell types into activated effectors, proliferation of effectors, deletion of ineffective or harmful effectors, recruitment of effectors to infected tissues or lymph organs, and activation of effector functions. |
| www.santafe.edu /research/signallingNetworks.php (986 words) |
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