Protein kinase C: a key regulator of dendritic cell function

The innate immune system is an important mechanism that protects the host from infection. Viral and bacterial infection triggers activation of the transcription factors interferon response factor (IRF) 3 and nuclear factor (NF)-kB. These transcription factors collaborate to induce transcription of type I interferons (IFNs) cytokines and the interleukin (IL)-12 family of cytokines. Type I IFN and the IL-12 family of cytokines play a critical role in establishing innate immune responses as well as initiating and directing adaptive responses. Our study focused on the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in Toll-like (TLR)-dependent and –independent activation of IRF-3 and NF-kB and their subsequent regulation of IFN-beta and the IL-12 family of cytokines.

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